Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Water firm urged to find a solution to leaking sewer pipe
gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk overwhelming it and forcing Southern Water to pump the excess into the stream to prevent it backing up into people’s homes.
The company says it has already carried out extensive sewer sealing along 1km of pipe but campaigners believe the only remedy is to line the old sewer with a new pipe to stop groundwater getting in.
Mr Brazier said that while he has been encouraged by the work done along the course of the Nailbourne, the sewer infrastructure was now the major concern.
He has asked for a meeting with the company’s chief executive Matthew Wright and wants to know what steps are being taken to resolve the problem.
He said: “We cannot continue with a situation where sewer water is pumped, albeit screened, into the river and, as the Little Stour and Nailbourne River Management Group have noted, this is the fourth time in 12 years.
“Southern Water is just about to increase its water bills, citing a need to increase infrastructure work.
“I believe the Nailbourne course is a priority, and have asked for a meeting with the company to discuss how they can make our area a priority.”
Cllr Gilbey has also written to Mr Wright, saying: “It is not acceptable for this to continually occur.
“A major scheme must now be carried out by Southern Water to fully reline or replace the leaking sewer.”
Jill Thomas, of the Little Stour and Nailbourne River Management Group, says the company’s network quality performance manager Martin Banks has written to the householders to apologise, saying: “We are developing plans for a longer term solution which we will keep you informed about.”
She said: “We don’t know the exact details of what their ‘longer term solution’ is but we believe the only answer is to reline or renew the sewer pipe and that is what we are pressing for.”
The LSNR management group is due to meet with Southern Water and Environment Agency representatives at Bekesbourne village hall at 9.30am on Saturday.
Customers can have their say at http:// swhaveyoursay.co.uk