Agenda item

The following representatives were present from Thames Water – Tim McMahon, Head of Networks, Simon Moore, Water Infrastructure Planning Officer, and Nikki Hynes, Local Government Liaison

Thames Water made a presentation to the Committee, a copy of which is interleaved, following which these main points were made –

·         Thames Water stated that there had been significant improvements in responding to the Queens Drive flood, compared to the Upper Street flood in 2016. Significant improvements had been made to response times, customer and loss adjustors were on site on day 1 and day 2 in increased numbers, water dependent vulnerable customers were contacted, and courier service for bottled water established, flood barriers on the ground in 2 hours, event support vehicles in place, etc.

·         Queens Drive N4 burst – 36” cast iron trunk main burst on 8 October, reported at 7.55 a.m. and on site at 8.30a.m. Flow reduced by 50% by 11.30 stopping flood area expansion. Managed as level 4 event – the most serious ranking. Pipe was nearly 125 years old, and there were 177 properties damaged by floodwater, 155 private and 20 Hackney Council. Initial findings suggest an old repair may have left a weak point

·         Supply impact on 25000 homes for three to four hours initially, but some also affected into the evening. 58 properties still require alternative accommodation, and alternative accommodation is being provided. New for old policy in place and updated compensation policy.

24 hour site security is in place to protect empty properties

Working with Hackney Council – flood recovery meeting set up weekly to deal with immediate operational issues.  New process for customer data sharing agreed, meetings now fortnightly, focused on resident’s accommodation, and after care issues, senior managers at meetings with Hackney Council and residents, and there has been a restructuring of incident management processes in consultation with Hackney Council

·         Mains repairs in Islington – Thames Water have replaced over a third of Islington’s water network since 2000, which has contributed to a two thirds reduction in burst rates in the borough since 2008

·         Business Planning process – Thames set a business plan over 5 years through a price review. This is an important process as it sets customer’s bills, our revenue, level of investment, and thus corresponding performance targets. Key dates – September 2018 – draft business plan submitted to OFWAT, January 2019 OFWAT provides a complete response to Thames draft plan, April 2019 enhanced and revised plan resubmitted to OFWAT, and on 16 December 2019 OFWAT published a final determination of the plan, and there is 2 months to formally respond

·         Investment Plans 2020-2025 – 16 December OFWAT final determination set out water company investment levels and performance targets for 2020-25. Thames are analysing this and have 8 weeks to respond so it is not possible to stated what Thames investment plans for Islington are at this stage. Thames stated that they are willing to communicate with Islington to ensure there is access to make improvements in the least disruptive way

·         The number of leaks has been reduced considerably in the borough since 2008, and Islington had gone from the worst borough suffering leaks in London, to around the middle of London boroughs suffering from leaks

·         In response to a question it was stated that the introduction of new technologies was being looked at, however it was extremely difficult to detect leaks. Synirex covered 7% of the network, and SAHARA system is also used to detect leaks, and this is the best technology currently available, although new technology is being trialled

·         Reference was made to data from previous owners being transferred, and it was stated that there is now higher data capture than previously, and that data is now stored in the GIS platform

·         The 3 main reasons why a pipe bursts are the ageing of the pipe network, the soil acidity, and increased development in London, which puts an additional pressure on the network

·         Reference was made to the new OFWAT decision on investment and the Thames Business Plan and whether dividends would continue to be paid. Thames stated that they were planning to reduce leakage, and this issue could be looked at, however dividends could only be applied if Thames met strict performance targets. It was added that Thames had achieved its best performance for 20 years in reducing leakage, and additional investment is being provided for the main trunk network

·         Discussion took place as to the Thames response to the OFWAT decision on investment, and Thames stated that they had 8 weeks to respond, and there is a need to strike a balance between repair/replacement of pipes

·         Reference was made to the necessity to plan for the future with the new reservoir facility planned at Abingdon, and protection of rivers

·         A Member referred to the fact that bomb damage may have caused damage to pipes, especially in the New River Walk area

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted, and Thames Water be requested to report back to the Committee in March on the result of Thames discussions with OFWAT, and the final determination, and level of investment plans etc.

The Chair thanked Tim McMahon and Simon Moore for attending