Burst Pipes Update

Burst Pipes Update

Since the water main burst on Barhatch Road, The Cranleigh Civic Society has been investigating water supply capacity and issues within the Cranleigh network.

Since September 2016 there have been further burst drinking water pipes on:

  • Avenue Road
  • The Ridgeway
  • Elmbridge Road  and outside Bridge Cottages
  • The Common
  • Wyphurst Road
  • Horsham Road
  • Durnsford Way
  • Wanborough Lane
  • Bloxham Road

Why have all these water pipes burst?

Thames Water say that the big burst water main on Barhatch Road was due to a faulty valve which caused excessive pressure in the water network.

Thames Water has continually highlighted capacity issues in relation to water supply in Cranleigh, in comments against significant planning applications, stating that the existing infrastructure has insufficient capacity to meet the additional demands of the proposed developments approved in Cranleigh.

However, Thames Water seem unable, or perhaps unwilling, to object  to any development on the grounds of water supply constraints and state that they have a statutory duty to provide water at a minimum of 1 bar of pressure.

Cranleigh Society is concerned that the recent series of burst pipes indicates that our water system can not cope with the increased pressure required to service the over a thousand houses that Waverley Borough Council has already granted permission for in Cranleigh.

Thames Water confirmed to us that:

The development of new properties won’t result in an increase of water pressure. We carefully monitor the pressure levels across the five metered areas that cover Cranleigh, and make sure they are in within acceptable tolerance. When new properties are connected, it will increase the amount of water in that section of our network, but the pressure should remain fairly constant.”

Reading between the lines this seems to state that water pressure will increase. And, in our last meeting with Thames Water on Friday 17 February 2017, when pressed for an answer about potential increase in water pressure to accommodate new housing, the answer was that pressure would increase.

Asbestos Cement Pipes

During our investigations about water supply, we have discovered purely by chance, that Cranleigh has ageing asbestos cement (AC) water main pipes.  This information was shared with residents by contractors working on the burst water pipes, who were seen wearing  masks, and this has now been confirmed by Thames Water.

Thames Water Asset Map Jan 2017

These pipes were first manufactured in the UK in the late 1920s and became widespread during the 1950s, 1960s and, we understand, the early 1970s. Due to the risk to health following exposure to asbestos, importation, supply and use of all asbestos products have been banned in the UK since 1999.

Residents have raised concerns with us about these pipes and we have tried to find out as much information as we can to share with you.

We spoke to people working on the pipes in Cranleigh and requested further details from Thames Water to ascertain the reason for all the recent bursts, to raise concerns about the ageing AC pipes, some of which are now between 50 to 70 years old, and whether the potential increase in water pressure within the Cranleigh water network, due to significant development, might increase asbestos fibres within the water supply.


Below is a photo of the 6″ AC main in Fettes Road, taken on 29-Sep-16 at 4pm.

asbestos-cement-pipe-29-09-16-16-00


We found a report commissioned by the Department for the Environment in 1998, and issued to the Water Industry, mentioning that “Concern has been expressed over the possibility of asbestos fibres being released into the water supply by deteriorating pipework.”

It is also suggested that that the “aggressiveness of the water, and the length and age of the pipes probably contribute to the concentration of fibres found.

Furthermore, it highlighted that “There is a clear relationship between the use of AC water mains and population density i,e, large rural areas, contain a relatively large proportion of AC water mains“.

You can read a full copy of the report here: Water Industry Report re Asbestos Water Main 1998


On 27 September 2016 Thames Water confirmed to us that:

“Although some types of Asbestos can be hazardous when handled, it is not considered to be hazardous to human health when used in potable water networks and Thames Water have around 792km of Asbestos Cement pipes out of its network of 31,500km water mains. Research available on the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) website provides some clarifications here, stating that:

The World Health Organisation considered asbestos in drinking water arising from asbestos cement pipe in their 1993 edition of the Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. The guidelines state “Although well studied, there has been little convincing evidence of the carcinogenicity of ingested asbestos in epidemiological studies of populations with drinking water supplies containing concentrations of asbestos…There is therefore no consistent evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health and thus it was concluded that there was no need to establish a health-based guideline value for asbestos in drinking water’

NB the above references ingested asbestos and there is no suggestion that asbestos is, or could be entering the customer’s water supply here at any level of concentration.”


We wanted to find out more so we looked at the:

World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines

We found out that the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality FOURTH EDITION discovered no consistent evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health. Although it is recognised that asbestos cement pipes can contribute to fibre levels in drinking water and are hazardous to people cutting the pipes.

This extract is taken from the report, which in the main matched with what we had been told by Thames Water with the exception of the information in the last paragraph (“The primary issue surrounding asbestos-cement pipes is for people working on the outside of the pipes (e.g. cutting pipe), because of the risk of inhalation of asbestos dust.“) :

Asbestos is introduced into water by the dissolution of asbestos-containing minerals and ores as well as from industrial effluents, atmospheric pollution and asbestos-cement pipes in the distribution system. Exfoliation of asbestos fibres from asbestos-cement pipes is related to the aggressiveness of the water supply. Limited data indicate that exposure to airborne asbestos released from tap water during showers or humidification is negligible. 

There is therefore no consistent evidence that ingested asbestos
is hazardous to health, and thus it is concluded that there is no need to establish health-based guideline value for asbestos in drinking-water. The primary issue surrounding asbestos-cement pipes is for people working on the outside of the pipes (e.g. cutting pipe), because of the risk of inhalation of asbestos dust.”

We have also looked at WHO background information

You can read the full report here:

Asbestos in Drinking-water Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality


US Guidelines

However, although WHO has still not issued guidelines for asbestos in drinking water, we found this is not the same in the US, where the Environmental Protection Agency has included asbestos fibres in the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations since 1992.

You can read more about this issue – Drinking Water Quality: Problems and Solutions- By N. F. Gray) .

UK Information

Looking towards the UK we found a report carried out for the Drinking Water Inspectorate (UK) in May 2002 which concluded that:

7. Conclusions

Inhaled asbestos is a known human carcinogen and considerable care is required in handling asbestos products, including asbestos cement water pipes, to prevent the inhalation of asbestos fibres. The tumours caused by asbestos are mesotheliomas and are considered to be characteristic of asbestos exposure. The evidence that inhaled asbestos can cause tumours at any other site in the body is, at best, equivocal. However, the evidence with regard to mesotheliomas strongly supports the contention that fibre size and surface characteristics are important in the pathogenicity of asbestos. Fibres greater than 8 mm in length and less than 0.25 mm in diameter are the greatest concern with very short fibres of less than 1 mm considered to be of low risk. Asbestos fibres from drinking water are either in this latter category or are of much greater diameter than those of greatest concern and so the risk to health from inhalation of such fibres is considered to be low.

That asbestos cement pipes can contribute to fibre levels in drinking water is not in doubt but asbestos fibres from natural sources are found in the great majority of waters, whether or not they have passed through asbestos cement pipes. Asbestos in drinking water is not, therefore, solely a function of asbestos cement pipe.

The evidence from epidemiological studies and from laboratory animal feeding studies does not provide support for the view that asbestos from drinking water is of concern. WHO concluded in their 1993 Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality “Although well studied, there has been little convincing evidence of the carcinogenicity of ingested asbestos in epidemiological studies of populations with drinking water supplies containing high concentrations of asbestos. Moreover in extensive studies in laboratory species, asbestos has not consistently increased the incidence of tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. There is therefore no consistent evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health and thus it was concluded that there was no need to establish a health-based guideline value for asbestos in drinking water”.

The WHO Drinking Water Committee did not regard asbestos as necessary for reconsideration in the current phase of the rolling revision.

Asbestos cement pipes have been widely used for drinking water distribution and there are many kilometres to be found all over the world, including many European countries. Few countries still install asbestos cement pipe, primarily because of issues with handling, but there appears to be no concern for the health of consumers receiving the water and there appear to be no programmes to replace asbestos cement pipe for this reason.”

You can read the full report here: dwi70_2_135_asbestos-cement-pipes


The Water Industry Report re Asbestos Water Main 1998 raised the possibility that higher instances of  asbestos fibres were present in deteriorating AC pipes and information on the transmigration of ingested asbestos through the gastrointestinal tract to other tissues has been contradictory and inconclusive.

Replacement Pipework

We feel that there should be an ongoing programme to replace all Asbestos Cement pipes with plastic.

However, Thames Water have confirmed that:

The consensus after studies of the effects of asbestos fibres in drinking water, show there is little evidence of any health concerns. Although some types of Asbestos can be hazardous when handled, it is not considered to be hazardous to human health when used in potable water networks. For this reason there are no plans to replace the current sections of asbestos piping, other than for an operational need.

They have also confirmed that when pipes do burst and are replaced:

If we find asbestos pipes when carrying out work, we take extra care to ensure our staff and customers are safe at all times. All pipes will be washed through to avoid the risk of asbestos entering out network.”

When pipes burst, we understand that they are then replaced with new plastic pipes, using an “Aquagrip” connection. However, it appears that old redundant AC pipework remains in the ground.  We have concerns that this might expose future road workers to risk when they carry out further groundwork.

Aquagrip Connection:

aquagrip

We think that the AC pipework should be routinely removed from site when it is no longer in use and treated as special waste.

Thames Water responded as follows to our request for more information about redundant pipework:

I can answer your question regarding leaving the abandoned pipes in situ.

In accordance with current Environment Agency Guidelines (EA Regulatory Position Statement 008, version 7 “Leaving decommissioned pipe in excavations” issued 2014), intact or damaged asbestos pipes, including sections damaged by pipe bursting, can be abandoned and left in the ground as intact pipes provided that:

 i ) any excavated sections or broken pieces of pipe that are not fully contained are removed to a suitably authorised site

 ii ) the presence and condition of the asbestos is recorded on corporate records and that information is passed to other utility companies or others in response to pipe location requests.”

Thames Water have confirmed that they intend to start a replacement programme early 2018.

 

 

Brook Sewage Saga Goes On!

Brook Sewage Saga Goes On!

We first wrote about the sewage in the brook saga on 2 June 2015. Can you believe it, nearly 17 months later and the problem is still not resolved.

map of raw sewage entering watercourse in Cranleigh

In the intervening months Cranleigh Civic Society has sent countless emails and made several calls to Thames Water, the Environment Agency and Waverley Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department.

The fact that this problem seems to have been going on for over 7 years, some residents say longer, is a disgrace.  We can’t help but feel that there is something seriously wrong with our sewerage system when the continued discharge of raw sewage into a brook off the high street remains unchecked for so many years.

After unsuccessful attempts to get the brook problem resolved, in April 2015 the Cranleigh Civic Society took water samples, got them analysed at an independent specialist laboratory and reported the results to the Environment Agency (the E coli result was 24 times above the allowable limit).

section of brook in Cranleigh with raw sewage

The Environment Agency response was immediate, they elevated the brook to “Priority Status” and the very next day they served a 30 day notice on Thames Water to deal with the issue.

In May 2015 a cleanup of the brook took place and Thames Water commenced a series of extensive dye tests around Cranleigh, whilst keeping us informed of their progress.

sewage-from-brook-27-05-16

On 1 June 2015 Thames Water confirmed that they had found units on the High Street that had misconnected their foul sewer lines into the surface water sewer draining into the brook. The two properties were advised how to resolve this issue, and we understand that arrangements were made for the connections to be made to the correct sewer system.

However, Thames Water continued with their investigations, as they advised us that two units could not on their own account for the extent of the problem in the brook.

Subsequently, they carried out more camera and dye testing working their way down the High Street sewers.

In August 2015, the Environment Agency (EA) confirmed that Thames Water had discovered a significant misconnection, again located in the High Street.

Apparently, according to Thames Water remedial work for this issue was completed in October 2015; and it was understood that this should resolve most of the issues in the brook.

Thames Water said they were also aware of a couple of  minor outstanding issues  (sinks that need re-plumbing) that they were going to follow up. However, it was stressed that these shouldn’t cause significant growth of fungus in the brook.

Finally, EA confirmed that Thames Water were continuing to work on the problem, including doing some additional clean-up work – “after which they believe they will be able to better judge whether or not there are any other significant misconnections or other pollution sources.”

However that was not the end! After further reports of continued sewage in the brook yet another clean up was carried out on 26 November 2015.

010a2a8f0c3650373e8d31dd92a41025cc480973c0

There was a a lull over the winter months with the onset of heavier rainfall and colder temperatures.  However, in April 2016 sewage was reported to be discharging into the brook once more.

Cranleigh Civic Society advised the EA on 4 May 2016 once again that with the onset of warmer weather sewage fungus was flourishing in the brook  (see image below).  You can also see that a bund (grey pipe),  had appeared across the exit point of the surface water sewer pipe, which was not even touching the surface of the brook, and therefore was of no use whatsoever.

4 May 2016 Brook Cranleigh sewage fungus

On 6 May 2016 the EA replied confirming that “We were made aware of a ‘sludge-like deposit’ on the bed of the channel in the Knowle Park area on the 28/04/16. Thames Water attended the incident within 2 hours of the report. They were unable to identify a discharge to the river, but have logged the incident and confirmed to us that they will be sending out a member of their network team to investigate this matter further. We are currently awaiting further information from them.

On 9 May 2016 the EA confirmed that they had been in contact with Thames  Water who had carried out a CCTV survey of the sewers in the areas and have detected a “small leak from the foul sewer” into the surface water drain.

The solution they said was for Thames Water to re-attend the site to plan works to rectify the issue  The proposal was to to reline the leaking sewers or reroute them.

EA also confirmed that “the incident is having a localised low-level environmental impact on the channel that feeds the Littlemead Brook near Knowle Park. Approximately 10m of the channel was observed to be impacted by sewage fungus.

We have seen no major sewer relining/rerouting work taking place.

9 September 2016 and residents reported sewage fungus again in the brook, which we subsequently reported to Thames Water and Environmental Health at Waverley.  Tankers arrived on 12 September to suck out sewage from the brook and so the problem continues…….

A resident advised us that they had a telephone call on 14 September 2016 from Thames Water confirming that a tanker would be going to the brook on Knowle Lane every six weeks to pump out the sewage until the problem was solved.

The latest email from Thames Water on 19 October 2016 repeats the same old unacceptable story of unknown sewage misconnections into Thames Water’s  surface water sewer in the High Street discharging into the brook:

From the latest reports received, it would appear that there may be further and previously unidentified properties that also have misconnected sewer pipes and we will have to arrange for further testing and investigations to be carried out. I have asked that one of our Engineers reattend Cranleigh High Street and carry out further investigations into the reported problems.”

Thames Water confirmed that they would provide an update by no later than 2 November 2016.  We are not holding our breath.

We want to know what is really going on with the sewerage network in Cranleigh?  Is there a significant problem with the ageing main sewer running down the high street? Is the sewage tank on the corner of John Whiskar Drive and Knowle Lane leaking into the brook?

Against this backdrop of issues, Waverley Borough Council keep granting planning permission for huge estates in and around the village, taking no account of this and other ongoing sewage problems.  For the latest application by Thakeham Homes,  Thames Water has not even applied a Grampian style condition requiring upgrade work to the sewerage network prior to commencement of the development.  This is completely unacceptable.

We intend to keep investigating the problems with our sewerage network and water supply and will keep you updated as soon as we can.

We have kept our MP Anne Milton informed of the situation and she has also been pressing Thames Water for answers.  If you are concerned please email Anne Milton anne.milton.mp@parliament.uk and ask her to continue to pursue this matter on your behalf.  Thank you.


Cranleigh Civic Society is run completely by volunteers, please help us to keep you informed and become a member.

Cranleigh Floods!

Cranleigh Floods!

In just a few minutes after a heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon (25 June) parts of Cranleigh were very quickly flooded.

Knowle Lane 25 June 2016

This incident shows exactly how rapidly flooding can occur and provides a clear indication of how catastrophic a prolonged period of heavy rain would be on residents, as happened in 2013.  And this is before another 1520 houses are built, mostly on Cranleigh’s flood plain!

Car stuck in flood water Cranleigh 2013-14

December 2013

When flooding occurs it is not just from rainwater, it also contains raw sewage which bubbles up from the sewage network and mixes with the flood water.  You should not attempt to clear this away yourself without protective clothing and you should not let children play in flood water.


Report Flooding

YOU MUST REPORT INCIDENTS OF FLOODING TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS SEPARATELY:

Thames Water (24-hour customer service team on 0800 316 9800)

Waverley Borough Council Environmental Health on 01483 523393, or email environmentalhealth@waverley.gov.uk

Environment Agency (0800 807 060)

THESE ORGANISATIONS DO NOT SHARE INFORMATION AND IF NOT INFORMED SEPARATELY THE INCIDENT WILL NOT BE RECORDED AND THIS LEADS TO INACCURATE RECORDS OF FLOODING.


Flood Water Precautions

Precautions to be aware of when dealing with flooding to prevent unnecessary additional health problems:

• keep children out of the water

• wherever possible, try to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater. If you have to go into the water, wear waterproof gloves and rubber boots and remember to be careful of potentially concealed hazards.

• wash your hands – this is the most important way to get rid of harmful bugs. Use warm, clean water and soap before eating or preparing food, after being in contact with floodwater, sewage or with items that have been in the water. Use cold water to wash if warm is not available. If there is no clean water, use disposable soapy, wet wipes or sanitising gel to carefully clean all parts of your hands and dry them.

• keep open cuts or sores clean and use waterproof plasters to prevent them being exposed to floodwater.

• do not eat any food that has been in contact with floodwater or sewage.


Cranleigh War Memorial from this:

Cranleigh War Memorial starts to flood 25-06-16

 

To this in minutes:

Child in flood water Cranleigh Memorial 25-06-16

Cranleigh War Memorial 25-06-16

Cranleigh War Memorial

Cranleigh War Memorial 25-06-16


For more information on local flooding:

WATCH OUR FLOOD FILM TAKEN OVER DECEMBER 2013 AND JANUARY 2014

Cranleigh Society Objects to Amlets Lane

Cranleigh Society Objects to Amlets Lane

The Cranleigh Society has written to object to the Amlets Lane full planning application and Cala Homes request to remove or alter the pre-commencement condition to improve Cranleigh’s sewerage system.

Please add your own objections here too:

Application by Cala Homes for full planning ref WA/2016/0517 for 125 dwellings on Land South of Amlets Land and North of Roberts Way available on the Waverley Borough Council Planning Portal.


Cranleigh Society Objection:

The Cranleigh Civic Society object to the removal or amendment of Condition 40 requiring the pre-commencement and completion of a strategy for improvement of the existing sewerage system.

Any alteration in this condition would put existing residents at increased risk from sewage flooding, especially adjacent properties in Copse Edge and Summerlands.  It would also be contrary to up-to-date advice from Thames Water and Waverley’s Environmental Health Officer.

Waverley are aware of the lack of capacity in Cranleigh’s sewerage system.  This is well recorded and mentioned in Waverley’s Sustainability Appraisal Part One Sept 2014:

“Cranleigh Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and existing sewage treatment capacity is unlikely to be able to support anticipated demand. “

There is a requirement for a lead in time for an upgrade to the sewage treatment works of a minimum of three years, this will also need Ofwat funding.

The next funding round for Ofwat won’t be until 2020.  If Thames Water has a successful bid then it needs a minimum 3-5 years to carry out the work.  That takes us to a completion date between 2023 and 2025.  That’s a minimum of 7 years’ time.

There is also the ongoing problem of the ephemeral nature of Cranleigh Waters which again dried up earlier this month – 9 June 2016 (The Environment Agency has been advised).  Waverley has a responsibility under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) to ensure they do not allow the status of this river to deteriorate further.  The Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed to us that they have commenced proceedings for an Environmental Permit Review (last permit was issued in 2009) for Thames Water to discharge liquid effluent in to this river.  As you are aware the current permit does not take into account WFD limits and Thames Water are greatly exceeding the required level for phosphates, diatoms and macrophytes and at present the technology does not exist, although trials are taking place, to try and bring the level of phosphates down to reduce the detrimental effect on the river’s biodiversity.  We have had reports of catastrophic loss of fish by the local angling society in Cranleigh Waters.

This is all New Evidence and was NOT available to the Inspector at the recent Berkeley Homes appeal.

As you are also aware the EA are only a regulator with regard to the WFD and can only provide expert advice.  It is therefore up to Waverley to make a decision based on that expert advice and advice from other statutory bodies.  It is the planning authority’s responsibility to “be confident that this development will not result in unacceptable risks from pollution.

At present we can reasonably be certain that the additional sewage from this site will increase pollution in Cranleigh Waters and this will have a detrimental and undermining effect on the Wey Catchment.

Any sewage strategy for this site must include details for the sewerage upgrades required to accommodate this development, as well as mitigation measures for Cranleigh Waters, furthermore, this site must be considered to be deliverable as required under the NPPF.


You can read more about the Cala Homes, Amlets Lane site here:

THAMES WATER UPHOLD SEWAGE CONDITION

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THAMES WATER OBJECTION

CALA HOMES APPLY FOR SEWAGE CONDITION REMOVAL

AMLETS LANE FULL PLANNING APPLICATION

PARISH COUNCIL OBJECT TO AMLETS LANE

AMLETS LANE WORKERS TO USE CRANLEIGH TRAIN STATION!!!!

FOR SALE – AMLETS LANE

Environmental Health Support Thames Water Objection

Environmental Health Support Thames Water Objection

Waverley’s Senior Environmental Health Officer has written in support of Thames Water’s objection against the request by Cala Homes for the variation of Condition 40.

The Condition was placed on the approval for outline planning for 125 houses on Amlets Lane to ensure that upgrade work to the sewerage infrastructure was carried out prior to development taking place.  Cala Homes wants to change this to a post development condition.

The Environmental Health Officer urged the utmost caution:

as the consequences of proceeding without a proper plan in place for sewage may be detrimental to the other users of the system.

Environmental Health Objection 15-06-16