This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.
Representatives of United Utilities have been invited to the meeting to discuss concerns about the functioning on their sewage infrastructure located adjacent to the Boothby Street play area.
Minutes:
A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Mark Weldon.
Rebecca Hughes and Tony Lowles from United Utilities had attended the meeting to respond to concerns from residents about smells and other emissions from the United Utilities sewage infrastructure that had been installed on the open space on Boothby Street, adjacent to the play area.
By way of background to the installation the Area Committee was informed that the retention tank had been installed to protect properties in the area from sewer flooding. Since the infrastructure was installed in 2015 it had successfully prevented the flooding. It was acknowledged that there had been some ongoing issues in the area and work with residents was ongoing. United Utilities was confident that the facility was operation appropriately, and that it had been built in accordance with the planning permission applied for and granted.
A number of concerns had been raised with United Utilities relating to odours from the infrastructure; the location of the various aspect of the infrastructure and ancillary equipment and the impact this was having on the usability of the open space; ongoing surfacing flooding caused by changes to the water table.
A number of questions were asked and answered, including:-
· Did the tank hold sewage? Not as a matter of course. The tank was to provide capacity during a storm event when the sewage system was under pressure. The amount of time any sewage would be in the tank would be very limited.
· Did the facility need to be near a play area? The area had been moved to accommodate the facility which was needed to relieve the problem.
· After previous enquiries from Councillor Weldon about the possibility of moving the concrete and wooden posts he had been told it was to do so. Was it financially or technically unviable? These posts were needed for access and to protect the safety of staff. Moving the play area was needed to facilitate this.
· Was there anything that could be done to disguise or remove the hardstanding from the grassed area? The hard standing was required to facilitate the equipment needed on site to access so it was unlikely anything could be done to remove it.
· Was it feasible to treat the hardstanding with a green resin that would allow it be played on? That could be investigated.
· Were there any further plans to address other flooding issues? There were 13 gardens that required work to rectify water table issues and for which United Utilities were taking responsibility. Agreements were being drawn up between United Utilities, residents and the Council.
· How often was the retention tank used? It had occasionally been used, but had never been full as this would only be the case in the event the network had been overwhelmed.
· How did the system clear or flush? It was designed to be self-cleansing but there were a series of pumps at the base of the tank to ensure its content was taken away.
· Was it possible to surface the tank to allow it to be played on? This could be investigated, but nothing could be done that would impact on the ability to access the tank.
· Could the ‘manhole’ cover be recessed? That could be investigated.
Four public questions had been submitted in advance on behalf of local residents.
The first question asked for a suitably qualified contact within the Council with whom residents could contact for support about flooding and associated works to address it.
A representative of the Democratic Services Manager undertook to provide appropriate details.
The second question referred to the Vent Stack from the retention tank located on the boundary with Boothby Street Park and 45 Bonis Crescent and unpleasant smelling gas being emitted over the adjacent gardens as well as the Park, prevented the use of these areas. It was asked that the Vent Stack be relocated away from the houses and made taller so that the smells would not be detected at head height.
In response, it was stated that a complaint about the stack had already been received by United Utilities. Emissions and smells as described would not usually be associated with the tank of this kind so a survey had been commissioned to determine the nature of the emissions and how best to address them. The survey would take approximately three months after which time a solution could be formulated.
Clarification was sought on the types of emissions from the stack and whether these would be analysed during the survey. In response it was confirmed that analysis would be carried out to determine what the emissions were. Assurances were given that given the tank was not designed to receive pure sewage but mostly water or sewage ‘liquor’ it was not anticipated that the emissions would pose any danger.
The third question referred to the large steel cabinet associated facility currently located on the boundary with Boothby Street Park and 45 Bonis Crescent. The cabinet was often the scene of anti-social behaviour and provided a vantage point from which to see into gardens. There had been young people smoking and intimidating residents and other park users from this position. There had been a burglary in the area and access was attributable to the cabinet. It was asked that the cabinet be relocated to prevent future occurrences.
In response, the concerns about the cabinet were acknowledged. Specialist advice had been sought on it and it was proposed to raise its height so as to prevent these issues arising.
The fourth question referred to the surface covering the top of retention tank and the various inspection covers and wooden posts around the site. It was stated in the question that this area was no longer suitable for children to play in and was incompatible with the legacy under which the land was given by Alderman J H Stansfield in 1948. It was asked that a suitable area be made available as a substitute for the area lost.
In response, the answers given to previous question was referred to, and investigations would take place to determine whether and further surface treatment was possible. It was also reported that following previous concerns raised by the Area Committee
RESOLVED – That the representatives of United Utilities be thanked for their attendance and the Area Committee would welcome feedback in relation to ongoing efforts to improve the functioning and appearance of the Boothby Street/ Bonis Crescent sewage retention facility.