Southern Water’s is reporting that its pathfinder project to slow the flow of rainwater into sewers and cut storm overflows in Deal is starting to see some good early results.

Last year during Storm Ciaran and Storm Babet in November and October, the Kent town, like many other parts of the water company’s region was impacted by extremely heavy rainfall.

According to Southern Water, in previous years such rainfall would normally lead to Albert Road in the town flooding and tankers being used to cope.

However, after an upgrade of the surface water pipe which diverted this water away from Albert Road to Matthews Close Dyke helped to relieve the strain and helped reduce the impact of high volumes of excess water during heavy rain.

Over the last few months the project has involved the installation of dozens of state-of-the-art smart water butts at homes Claremont Road, Grange Road, Cowper Road, and The Grove. Around 50 have been installed so far.

Other interventions in the area include:

• Pipework improvements: upgrade of a surface water pipe to redirect flows away from Albert Road to Matthews Close Dyke during heavy rain.
• Infrastructure optimisation: using and upgrading infrastructure and control systems at the company’s Golf Road treatment works to help manage heavier flows of rainwater.
• Slow-drain water butts: Southern Water is looking to offer residents in Deal and Walmer water butts in the near future.

Central to the project is partnership working through the Deal Water Action Taskforce (Deal-WAT) consisting of Southern Water, Kent County Council and Dover District Council and co-chaired by MP for Dover and Deal Natalie Elphicke.

The pathfinder is one of six projects currently in place to trial nature-based and engineering solutions to slow the flow of rainwater entering the combined sewer network and reduce storm overflows. The other five are at Swalecliffe, Margate, Sandown on the Isle of Wight, Fairlight in East Sussex and the pan parishes area of northern Hampshire near Andover.

Southern Water recently announced its £1.5 billion Clean Rivers and Seas Plan that sets out how the company intends to tackle storm overflows.

Southern Water’s Pathfinder Delivery Lead East, Jon Yates said:

“We’re pleased that we’re starting to see some early signs that the interventions we have taken through working closely with other organisations have started to bear fruit. This project has showcased the benefits of using innovative technology and engineering and nature-based solutions to reduce flooding and storm overflows.

“We’re excited to see how this project takes shape this year and the benefits it will bring to the town in both the short-term and the long-term.”