Water pressure in Reed

Water pressure - or more exactly low pressure - has become a significant concern in recent months. A problem that originated some years ago appears to have become much more serious recently, causing inconvenience to residents, especially those with high pressure domestic water systems. It has even led to difficulty in irrigating the cricket field. Numerous residents have complained directly to Affinity Water.

What is Reed Parish Council doing?

Reed PC has written to Affinity Water. Individual Members have complained directly to Affinity Water too,

How have Affinity Water responded?

Affinity replied to the Parish Council explaining that the combination of the higher that usual demand generated by the countrywide lockdown, problems at the Chipping pumping station, and the warm summer weather contributed to issues during 2020. To alleviate the demand on the Chipping Pumping Station the have “re-zoned” 213 properties in Barley, meaning that these properties, unless there is an emergency, will not be supplied by the Chipping Pumping Station. They also undertook to monitor the water pressure over the summer 2021. In response to the Parish Council’s request for sight of the results of the monitoring, they reported that using the Levels of Service point in Blacksmith’s Lane their monitoring confirmed that they were for the most part achieving three times the regulatory standard. However some residents may have experienced a small drop in pressure as there were some issues at the Chipping pumping station. These issues at the pumping station correlate to the results in the graph below. The regulatory standard pressure level they are obliged to provide is a minimum is 7 metres head (0.7 bar), although Affinity say they always aim to provide at least 15 metres head (1.5 bar) where they can. More information about this can be found on their website here. In response to the Parish Council’s query about whether they are consulted over new developments, they told us that they were not part of the planning permission process and only become involved when the permission has been granted and they are asked to supply the property. This has been confirmed by the planning team at North Herts District Council, who point out that it’s principally a matter between the developer and the utilities: put simply, if a water supply cannot be maintained the developer would not be able to sell the properties. It’s the same as regards all utilities.

Reply from Affinity Water What has caused the water pressure issues in Reed? Last year due to both the countrywide lockdown, which resulted in people working from home, and the extremely hot weather, some areas within the Affinity Water supply area, regrettably, experience periods of low pressure. This was due to higher than normal demand being placed on our supplies. Our teams worked tirelessly during the affected months last year to look for and implement solutions to this low pressure. What we are doing We are aware that the SG8 postcode area does experience periods of low pressure. To alleviate the demand on the Chipping Pumping Station we have rezoned 213 properties in Barley. What this means is that these properties, unless there is an emergency, will not be supplied by the Chipping Pumping Station. One such emergency occurred on 3 June 2021 when there was a burst water main on Barley High Street, and we had to supply the affected properties from our Chipping Pumping Station. We are also waiting for a new valve to be installed which will allow us to move an additional 64 customers in Smith End Lane, Barley from our Chipping Pumping Station supply area. This should also help alleviate the seasonal demand which can result in lower pressure. Our operational teams will be monitoring the pressure in Reed and the surrounding areas over the summer months as we know these areas can experience low pressure due to supply and demand. Can our network support new developments? When a new development is put forward for planning permission, Affinity Water are not involved in in this process. We only become involved when the permission has been granted and we are asked to supply the development. When this happens, we have a modelling team who will look at the adjustments we need to make to our network to maintain adequate supply and pressure to both existing and new properties. Once again, I would like to say sorry to you and the residents of Reed for the inconvenience caused by the intermittent periods of low pressure. I hope I have assured you that we are prioritising finding a solution to this. if I can be of any further assistance, then please feel free to contact me in the Executive Relations Team on 0345 357 2429. Exercitation ullamco ex culpa occa ecat commodo, dolor, par iatur commodo ipsum, nostrud eius.