A new report published by Southern Water explains why there are coastal storm releases in Margate, and how working together can significantly reduce them.
Storm overflow releases occur in the area due to the town’s predominantly combined sewer system, seeing both wastewater and rain runoff enter the same network. During heavy downpours, rain overloads the system. To avoid homes, businesses, schools and roads flooding, excess water is released into the sea. Releases are around 95% rainwater but have not been subject to the full wastewater treatment process.
Southern Water is working alongside Kent County Council, Thanet District Council, and residents to improve drainage in the area and drive down the use of storm overflows.
The types of intervention identified in today’s report will be a mix of innovative and traditional solutions such as: removing and slowing the flow of rainwater in the network, making better use of the existing infrastructure, removing impermeable surfaces, creating sustainable drainage in parks, diverting rainwater to the environment, and investing in new assets.
The company is also calling on residents to help conserve water and create more green spaces. It welcomes residents sharing information, photos, and suggestions on where improvements could be made in their community.
Southern Water is taking an evidence-based approach and initial findings can be found in the Margate Pathfinder technical report and the four-page summary, available online.
Dr Nick Mills, Head of Southern Water’s Storm Overflow Task Force, said:
“This report is only the start of the journey towards a sustainable drainage system in Margate. We will work with partners to better understand the existing drainage systems, to identify and deliver opportunities for improvement, and plan together for the sustainable growth of the town of Margate.
“What we ask of our partners and the community is to continue to support that journey, with photos and data, ideas and enthusiasm so that together we can agree how decisions can be made, now and in the future for the benefit of our environment.”
Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr Ash Ashbee, added:
“It’s vital that we all work together to do what we can to improve our local environment. We’re all too aware of the damage that coastal storm releases cause in our area and we welcome this proactive approach to help improve drainage and drive down the use of storm overflows.
"While Southern Water is rightly investing significantly in improvements to their infrastructure, we all have a role to play. The district council will be working closely with the water company, our colleagues at KCC and the local community, doing all we can to collectively tackle this issue.”