To include:

·         Flood risk prioritisation and identification of synergies for

partnership working

·         Bin it, don’t block it campaign

·         Update on impacts of recent flood event and actions

20 mins

Flood risk prioritisation and identification of synergies for partnership working

Thames Water (TW) were looking at their next asset management period. As the Flood Liaison Group was locally focused TW were looking to pursue this with the Berkshire Strategic Flood Risk Management Group. TW were however very keen to gather information from forums and groups as this would help them to prioritise investment based on risk.

Bin it, don’t block it campaign

Thames Water has carried out a local campaign and will continue with the campaign in reactive capacity when looking at sewer abuse – fat and oil blocking the drains.

On a wider scale, TW were trying to work with Water UK so they could focus on larger food retail establishments; Water UK could engage with the larger food outlets, letting them know what they can do to help, for example fitting grease recovery units, There was also a proactive media campaign that would be carried out in problem areas.

PCllr Clasper asked whether Thames Water could share details of sewer abuse hotspots? Thames Water indicated that they did not publish information on sewer abuse hotspots, TW were still finalising clusters of hotspots, but added that there was definitely a cluster of hotspots in Slough and the Windsor areas. Once Thames Water know for sure, they would pass that information on to the parish councils so they could help with the campaign.

Thames Water were working on a set of standards indicating what was deemed flushable, to prevent blockages from items such as wipes, nappies and baby wipes. This standard should be ready within two years.

Councillor Beer stated that all licenced food outlets should have oil traps fitted and that this should be made a condition through the building regulations. Thames Water stated that this had been discussed at a meeting the previous week. While TW could enforce outlets not to let unsuitable waste go in to the sewer they could not tell them how to dispose of this waste.

Councillor Beer congratulated Thames water on their consultation and liaison undertaken during the ongoing works on Ham Island bridge. TW reported that the preparation work was taking longer than anticipated and that they had secured a second under bridge works unit, Thames Water were very grateful to the residents for being patient.

Thames Water apologised for the lack of progress on the “lift and look” survey on the sewer system in the             Cookham area. All agreed however that this survey needed to be undertaken during wet weather / a period of elevated groundwater levels

Thames Water indicated that it is essential that any reports requiring urgent action be reported to the Thames Water helpline, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that contacts can be properly logged and tracked through to completion. The Thames Water helpline number is 0800 316 9800 and their email address is  customer.feedback@thameswater.co.uk

Update on impacts of recent flood event and actions

Thames Water reported that recent rainfall events had had no significant impacts on their systems. The flooding of the Theatre Royal in Windsor had been a result of

sewer abuse.