Agenda item
Motion - Thames Water
The following motion has been received in the names of Councillors Andy Graham and Norman MacRae:
"This Council believes that historical underinvestment in the sewerage infrastructure in West Oxfordshire and further up the catchments of the rivers Windrush, Evenlode and other Thames tributaries in West Oxfordshire has led to a marked deterioration in water quality in these rivers and in the Thames due to excessive spills of untreated or partially treated sewage in both storm and normal conditions.
The Council would like to receive the following details :-
· Capital improvements by Sewage Treatment Works (STW) over the last ten years ( description and cost) ;
· Operating capacity analysed by STW over each of the last ten years;
· Capital Plans by STW over the next five years (description and estimated cost);
· Number of spills by STW over each of the last ten years together with reason for spill;
· Details, including logs, of failures at pumping stations, and to include downtimes and the use of tankers;
· The level of any fines levied by the regulator or courts for spills over each of the last ten years."
Minutes:
The following motion was proposed by Councillor Graham and seconded by Councillor MacRae:
"This Council believes that historical underinvestment in the sewerage infrastructure in West Oxfordshire and further up the catchments of the rivers Windrush, Evenlode and other Thames tributaries in West Oxfordshire has led to a marked deterioration in water quality in these rivers and in the Thames due to excessive spills of untreated or partially treated sewage in both storm and normal conditions.
The Council would like to receive the following details :-
· Capital improvements by Sewage Treatment Works (STW) over the last ten years ( description and cost) ;
· Operating capacity analysed by STW over each of the last ten years;
· Capital Plans by STW over the next five years (description and estimated cost);
· Number of spills by STW over each of the last ten years together with reason for spill;
· Details, including logs, of failures at pumping stations, and to include downtimes and the use of tankers;
· The level of any fines levied by the regulator or courts for spills over each of the last ten years."
Councillor Graham introduced the motion by thanking members of WASP and elected members from all political persuasions as this was an all party motion. He hoped that the motion demonstrated the seriousness of the Council in keeping this issue in their sights and that the answers to the questions above would help get to the truth of the matter. Councillor Graham concluded by reiterating that Climate Change was happening now and urgent action was needed form the Government to step up and change the laws.
In seconding the motion, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor MacRae added his thanks to WASP for their work and reiterated that this issue affected all rivers in the District. He reminded Members that the District Council had no powers over the water authorities but did have the ability to question and use its influence to bring about change.
Councillor Leffman added her support to the motion and described her own experiences of failed pumping stations emitting effluence into the streets. She agreed that the responsibility lay with government as the companies were not regulated effectively but were guided by shareholders. Councillor Leffman felt it was important to make it apparent to government that the Council would not tolerate the deterioration of services.
Councillor Coles agreed with the comments made and advised that having walked alongside the Windrush river recently, the levels of pollution were obvious due to the noticeable lack of wildfowl and insects.
Councillor St John raised the issue of wet wipes causing blockages in the sewage system, along with new developments placing more pressure on the system. He also felt that OffWat had an important part to play in monitoring these companies.
Councillor Levy added his experiences of visiting the Cassington Sewage Treatment Works and noted that there had been instances over the past six months when treatment works weren’t working properly, resulting in tankers having to empty the effluence and remove it to Cassington.
Councillor Cotterill requested that pumping stations be included in the motion and described an instance whereby a water authority collected all of the wet wipes blocking their system and returned them to the manufacturer, with a bill for the works. Councillor MacRae agreed that this should be added to the motion.
Councillor Al-Yousuf also described his visit to the Cassington Treatment Works in October 2020 at the request of WASP. He felt that some of the problems had been in existence for some time, involving previous governments and referred to the chemicals and pharmaceuticals also entering the system.
Councillor Prosser supported the motion, praised the work of the Water Days, initiated by Councillor Harvey and recognised that more influence was needed via the planning system as infrastructure had not kept pace with development.
Councillor Postan noted the infrastructure comments made and felt that private investment in public initiatives should be explored.
Councillor Goodwin provided an example of a resident complaint he had assisted with in which he had found Thames Water to not be genuine or concerned. He reiterated that more control and better governance was required to focus on visibility and better information sharing.
Councillor Graham thanked his colleagues for their contributions and hoped that progress would be achieved with the growing community swell of opinion. Whilst he recognised there were big challenges ahead, he felt the motion was a small but meaningful step.
The motion was then put to the vote and was passed unanimously.
Approved