A new report setting out how Southern Water plans to reduce pollution in Swalecliffe and the surrounding area has been published by the water company’s Storm Overflows Task Force.

The report lsets out ways in which the innovative ‘pathfinder’ project will reduce pollution into the sea and focuses on slowing the flow of rainwater that gets into the sewer network.

Due to the nature of the drainage system in Swalecliffe (Whitstable), the water company is exploring a mix of interventions to reduce storm releases.

These include improvements to Wastewater Treatment Works, optimisation of pumping stations in the catchment, identification and removal of surface water pipes that have been misconnected into the combined sewer, and removal of impermeable land where rainfall runoffs into the combined system.

Around half of the drainage system in Whitstable is a combined sewer system. Storm overflows are built into the combined network to protect homes, businesses, and roads from flooding, when the system gets overwhelmed with rainwater run-off.

The pressure on the network means that in the last few years, the Swalecliffe wastewater treatment works has been the cause for several incidents.

Over the coming months, the task force will carry out surveys and investigate new technologies and solutions that could ‘slow the flow’ of water draining from homes, roads, car parks, businesses, and public spaces in the Swalecliffe area.

Cutting rain out of the sewer system has an extra benefit over preventing storm releases. Swales and rain gardens are a way of keeping water on the land so it can soak down through the soil to the aquifer- the natural underground reservoirs where the region gets much of its water.

Dr Nick Mills, who is leading the Storm Overflows Task Force, said:

“This report is only the start of the journey towards a sustainable drainage system in Swalecliffe and Whitstable. We are bringing our expertise and knowledge of engineering and the environment into one coordinated and talented team with the aim of improving water quality, reducing storm overflows, and improving the environment.

“We can only make these improvements if we continue to work together with customers, Kent County Council and businesses to identify and deliver opportunities, and plan together for the sustainable growth of Whitstable town. That’s why we’re calling on everyone to get involved and share their ideas and experiences and make this project truly collaborative.”

Interventions Southern Water wants to introduce include sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) like garden planters and rain gardens, making better use of existing drainage features such as roadside gullies and private water pipes, and additional treatment capacity to the existing drainage infrastructure.

There will also be a strong focus on controlling the flow pumped to the Swalecliffe wastewater treatment works and managing storm flows there, while optimising the control of the many wastewater pumping stations in the area to smooth out the flow and avoid overwhelming the system.

Improvements in Swalecliffe form part of a wider £2 billion investment in Southern Water’s assets, most of which is going to improve their environmental performance. Southern Water is aiming to significantly reduce storm overflows by 2030.

KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment, Tony Hills, said:

“KCC is pleased Southern Water is taking the issue of storm overflows, which cause pollution and disruption in at our coast, seriously.

“We are particularly pleased the organisation has recognised the role of surface water in causing overflows and are working in partnership to manage this effectively.

“KCC is looking forward to working with Southern Water in this partnership and hopes to see more projects like this in the county.”

Swalecliffe is one of Southern Water’s five Pathfinder projects across the South East. Other pathfinder areas include Deal and Margate in Kent, Sandown on the Isle of Wight, and the Pan Parish villages near Andover in Hampshire.

If successful, similar projects will be expanded across the region, becoming a key part of Southern Water’s efforts to reduce storm releases and flooding.

Click here to read the Swalecliffe Pathfinder Technical Report in full

Click here to read the Swalecliffe Pathfinder Summary Report

Want to know more about Southern Water’s AMP7 investment plans? Winning new business with the water companies in England and Wales in AMP7 and AMP8 between now and 2030?

Our report Complete AMP7 Contracts Tier 1 Alliances and Tier 1 Contractors April 2020 - 2025 contains details of the companies, key investment drivers, the alliances, the contracts they’re already working on in the UK water sector, together with hundreds of key named contacts. Click here for more information and details of how to order.