Residents in Deal, Kent, learnt more about how Southern Water is adopting new approaches in their own community to tackle the industry’s use of storm overflows.
More than 30 people gathered at Golf Road Community Centre for a drop-in event to hear about progress on the Deal Pathfinder project which is taking the lead in coming up with solutions to slow the flow of rainwater into our sewage system, and as a result reduce the use of storm overflows across the region.
The Deal Water Action Taskforce (Deal-WAT) was set up by Southern Water, in close partnership with co-chair and Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke, following repeated instances of flooding in the area, especially around Albert Road.
This taskforce combines representatives and stakeholders from Southern Water, Kent County Council and Dover District Council, who are working on a collaborative approach to tackling the issue.
The pathfinder project for Deal is designed to help future proof the drainage infrastructure in the area and residents heard about the various interventions taking place in the town.
These include:
- Installing nearly 100 water butts and planters at homes to slow the flow of rainfall entering combined sewage overflows (we will be installing more of these in Deal in the near future)
- Installing a new and larger surface water sewer on Albert Road
- Gully improvements at Albert Road to reduce surface water runoff
Improvements in the town form part of a wider £2bn investment in Southern Water’s pipes and sewage infrastructure to help significantly reduce pollution.
Head of Southern Water’s Storm Overflow Task Force, Dr Nick Mills said:
“We’re really excited to have explained and showcased all the important interventions we’re making in Deal to slow the flow of water into combined storm overflows. Working closely with partners to find solutions to help us towards our goal of significantly reducing pollution from storm overflows is exactly what pathfinder projects are about.”