Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Severn Trent and the Environment Agency on river pollution.

Members received a presentation from representatives of the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water respectively to discuss river pollution. The presentation summarised the ways in which river pollution was being monitored and controlled through the use of the Combined Sewer Overflow system (CSO). There were a number of these systems across the Borough that operate under high rainfall conditions. The presentation highlighted public concerns received regarding the levels of river pollution in the Borough. Members were informed that the misuse of CSOs was one of the contributing factors for increased river pollution. Members were informed that the most common cause for river pollution was due to leaking and blocked sewers that overflow the CSO and therefore does not allow the system to filter the sewage correctly.

Water companies were responsible for the monitoring, instillation and maintenance of CSOs when there were reported issues. Members were informed that the Environment Agency worked in partnership with the Council and water companies to make sure that the environment was being protected such as a recent £600K investment in improving the local rivers. The ‘Love your rivers Telford’ investment in 2018 saw a focus on improving local water courses in Telford which sought improvement in waste disposal as well as support with enforcement of recently introduced regulations.

Members were informed of the new regulations that apply to water companies such as Severn Trent. These regulations from the Environment Agency made it a requirement for monitoring of CSOs and to publish figures online. Members were also informed of the ongoing audit of water companies by the Environment Agency and that the focus of this was to share information on the work that was being conducted.

The presentation summarised the overall picture in Telford with 105 incidents of pollution being reported as a result of misconnections. Following this, Members were informed of the 24/7 hotline which members of the public could use to report pollution. Representatives from both the Environment Agency and Severn Trent asked Members to speak to their communities and work with them to better the experience in Telford and Wrekin.

Following the presentation, Members posed the following questions.

Were there any sewer maps that highlighted which drainage systems were used in particular buildings?

A representative from Severn Trent explained that there were sewer maps that outlined this, but they were complex. Members of the public could apply to see the sewer maps but highlighted that they would need to be specific areas to highlight the exact networks as they were interconnected.

When monitoring the levels of pollution what were the points of impact?

The Environment Agency explained that the responsibility for monitoring fell to the water companies but each monitor had different levels and when levels of pollution were at a certain point, the stations responsible would engage to reduce the levels.

What were the responsibilities of Severn Trent on isolated water courses and building development?

Representatives from both the Environment Agency and Severn Trent explained that the role was to report the levels of pollution to the Environment Agency and then work in partnership with the local Council to deal with the issue. If the pollution was caused by the developers, the partnership working and monitoring would help to support the prosecution of the developers.

If there were any reports/complaints put in about a developer causing pollution would the conclusion of any investigations be available?

The Environment Agency representatives informed Members that they would be available online to view.

If there were instances of water/river pollution and it was traced to a landlord or developer, what would be done?

Severn Trent would be responsible for undertaking an investigation and would try to track and trace the sources of the pollution, however it was noted that there were some challenges to consider such as weather conditions. Following an assessment of severity, it could result in the issuing of fines but if it was traced back to a home owner, landlord or developer it was down to the responsible individual to rectify.

What had been some of the more proactive ways that officers had been doing to tackle pollution in rivers and bodies of water locally?

The Environment Agency explained to Members that there were officers and volunteers that would walk alongside riverbanks to identify instances of pollution in waters locally.

Members were pleased to hear about the retrofitting of previous monitors that monitored pollution and wondered if the data would be shared in a live format for people to view?

Severn Trent explained that currently the data was not in a format for members of the public to view live. However, Members were informed that this facility should be available for members of the public by Spring 2024.

What processes would be in place to scrutinise the data?

The data was said to be collected from water companies such as Severn Trent on a monthly basis and then submitted to the Environment Agency for scrutiny of which would then be published on their website.

Recently, the issues regarding flooding and pollution in the river in Ironbridge had increased; what was being done to address this from water companies?

Severn Trent explained that they recognised the increased awareness of flooding and pollution in areas like Ironbridge and that they were working on improving the perception of pollution in the river. Members were informed that 3 years ago they made the data public in the media to show the current levels of pollution as well as the next steps to prevent any further pollution. This was done through different methods and schemes to see which had the best impact with the goal of reducing the levels of pollution in Ironbridge by 2025.

How would Severn Trent support low income families that were impacted by and issues with their water in their homes such as sewage/flooding?

Grants were available for those on low income to support with costs of repair if there were water damages caused to the property.

Were the profits recorded for Severn Trent available to be viewed?

They were accessible via the Severn Trent website.

With recent and future development in areas such as Coalport, what was being done by Severn Trent to account for the growth of the town and water supply?

Members were advised that Severn Trent were in conversation with engineers to best invest in the area to ensure that the water supply was appropriately set-up. The Service Delivery Manager: Highways, Engineering & Project Development, Telford & Wrekin Council, further explained to Members that they were working closely with Severn Trent to ensure that the correct water connections were set-up.

How could the Council support the reporting of river pollution?

The Environment Agency explained that they had trialled different methods with other local authorities such as Nottingham City Council and worked with local volunteers to support with the identification of river pollution. Members and officers discussed working with the Environment Agency’s Communications Team and the Council’s own internal Communications Team to further support education and identification of local river pollution and where to report it to.

Members discussed the use of MyTelford and whether this could be linked to support the reporting of river pollution. However, officers from the Environment Agency and Severn Trent welcomed further collaboration but suggested the continuation of the hotline as it was 24/7 and allowed for swift and efficient action to be taken as well as being able to receive the live data of reports being lodged.

With the introduction of Biodiversity Net-Gain legislation, were there opportunities for additional funding to be provided to support preventing river flooding and pollution?

Members were advised that funding was available for farmers and developers to support and promote the environment to prevent flooding and pollution. It was discussed that the Environment Agency were working closely with the local Planning Team to develop this and examine the national picture with the introduction of the legislation to be applied locally.

Following questions, Members discussed and moved to create a working group to examine this further. Officers from the Council, Environment Agency and Severn Trent welcomed this and discussed the benefits that a working group could have in terms of further education and collaborative working.

Members voted unanimously to develop a working group and that the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) would work to set-up a working group.

RESOLVED – that a working group to review river pollution locally and work with partners such as the Environment Agency and Severn Trent to see how best the Council could support reporting instances of river pollution be established.