Thames Water has confirmed they will carry out an infiltration study of their sewer that sits underneath the Coate Water underpass. The sewer has regularly flooded over the last year sometimes leaving raw sewage gushing from the drain cover.
The infiltration study will ascertain how the water is entering the sewers. Thames Water have said some of these investigations will include:
- Looks and lifts on manholes.
- Camera surveys of the sewer.
- Putting down sealed covers to stop water entering the manholes (this can push the flooding to other areas and possibly cause internal flooding).
- Line sections of the sewer to stop infiltration.
Thames Water have said the cause for the sewage flooding is hydraulic overload- when ground water infiltrates into the sewer for a prolonged period.
Earlier this year South Swindon Parish Council wrote to Thames Water requesting that action be taken to prevent future cases of sewage flooding.
South Swindon Parish Chair, Chris Watts, said,“The Parish Council felt we needed to write to Thames Water on behalf of our parishioners as the number of times sewage was pouring out of the sewer was becoming a serious environmental health risk. The location of this sewer is used by residents within our Parish Council as a convenient route to access Coate Water Country Park, one of the most well-used parks in Swindon. It is used by pedestrians and cyclists alike and is also near to green open space used by children for playing.
It’s good they’re investigating but Thames Water must get it sorted otherwise the flooding is going to keep happening again and again.”
