To receive a verbal update from David Harding, Thames Water.

David Harding, Customer and Stakeholder Manager for Home Counties (Thames Water), briefly explained the flooding event of January 2024 from the perspective of Thames Water, stating that Thames Water experienced the same conditions described by the EA.

David Harding reported that the flooding event affected sewage assets in some communities, particularly in Wraysbury. Alongside private drainage which used gravity, the public sewage systems in many of these areas consisted of ‘vacuum sewage systems’, which used chambers and sealed pipes to dispose of human waste through suction. This was partly because the area had a flat topography (where sewage would not gravitate easily) as well as generally having elevated below ground water as a result of saturated river gravels. He stated that he received reports from residents from the Wraysbury area that sewage was leaking out into the flood waters, and then conveyed that as they these sewage systems were below ground, they would be affected if the ground was underwater whereby sewage waste would likely mix in with flood water.

David Harding then informed that Thames Water deployed 340 tankers during the flooding event to vacuum sewage areas across the catchment to pump out the collection chambers to maintain sewage system; however, this was unable to occur in areas with high flood depths as either the tankers would create little difference or were inaccessible.

Thames Water received feedback from the EA and RBWM that there were a lot of reports of issues, and thus would liaise with them on prioritising and coordinating clean ups.

Regarding an earlier question on the Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority) price determination, David Harding informed that they would issue a draft determination in May/June 2024, which would then be reviewed by Thames Water. From there, Ofwat would issue a final determination in December 2024.

Parish Councillor Mandy Brar (Cookham PC) asked what happened to Thames Water’s pumping station in Lightlands Lane, Cookham during the recent flooding event despite being sent warnings 8 years prior, stating it was not safe and that it would build up again. She also highlighted that some residents still had sewage in their gardens which had not been cleared up. David Harding replied that he was not part of the conversations from 8 years ago; nevertheless, he informed that Thames Water operatives did not visit the pumping station until flood waters receded because there was an SSE sub-station nearby which was flooded as well, and therefore did not visit due to concerns of high voltage of electricity being mixed with water.

Regarding sewage in resident gardens, David Harding asked whether this was caused by a spilt sewage system or due to properties being under contaminated flood water. Parish Councillor Mandy Brar replied that it came from the Thames Water pumping station, whereby it packed up and spilled over sewage water into resident gardens as far across the road.

The Chair suggested to arrange a meeting of all flood agencies (EA, Thames Water etc.) with the Parish Councils to discuss local flooding issues, similarly to one being held at Wraysbury Parish Council on 30^th January 2024. He offered to help out if necessary.

ACTION: A meeting between the Parish Councils and flood agencies (EA, Thames Water and RBWM) to discuss local flooding issues, with the Chair helping out if necessary.

Councillor Howard requested for the contact details of the officers from the flood agencies. The Chair then asked if Chris Joyce, Assistant Director of Placemaking Partnerships and Sustainability, could come back on this. The latter responded that this could be picked up offline, whereby he would provide the contact details of the various organisation and facilitate this.

Parish Councillor David Burfitt asked about the status of the Hurley pumping station, stating that trucks had been regularly pumping sewage. David Harding speculated that the Hurley pumping station was still affected by the high ground water levels and the catchment draining down where it would then enter sewage systems. Parish Councillor David Burfitt then stated that it may be more serious, stating that he heard a rumour that the recently installed pumps were being affected by diesel in the water. David Harding responded that he was unaware of this and that this would be a pollution incident which was separate to the flooding. Parish Councillor David Burfitt requested for this to be investigated, specifying the location as the pumping station at Shepard’s Lane, Hurley.

The Chair asked for clarification on whether sewage drain in a resident’s garden spilling over into their garden and contaminated flood water flowing into their garden classified as issues for Thames Water. David Harding replied that Thames Water would clear up sewage contamination in their garden regardless of how it got there with priority being given to residents who had sewage flooding inside their property. He added that a river, like River Thames, spilling over its riverbanks and covering larges areas of land with water would wash up various deposits like silt, litter, sediments, debris and sewage, which would then be left scattered after the water had drained away. As such, David Harding stated that Thames Water would not be able to clear up every mess on hectares of affected land. Nevertheless, he reassured Thames Water would endeavour to clear-up where possible.