Deal Water Action Taskforce
The beginnings
The Deal Water Action Taskforce was secured by Natalie Elphicke in 2021, as for too long residents in Deal have suffered from flooding – especially in Albert Road.
The aim of this taskforce is to address these problems and find solutions. Natalie Elphicke MP and Cllr Trevor Bond both agreed that getting everyone round the table is the best way to do that.
The taskforce was started to address longstanding sewage issues in the town – particularly Albert Road and has reported jointly to Natalie Elphicke MP and the Chief Executive of Southern Water. The taskforce has also been supported by Dover District Council, Kent County Council and Water Regulator OfWat.
Stage 0 – the first steps
In Albert Road, detailed technical work was undertaken to investigate, survey and map the overground and underground movement of rainwater and sewage to better understand the persistent flooding around Albert Road. Residents were kept up to date and a mid way hybrid meeting with everyone involved was held in the community in December 2021.
The outcomes from the meeting and other residents input has been greatly useful in feeding back and validating the investigatory works. During these investigations key actions were approved and undertaken which are designed to make the water system work more efficiently in the immediate term.
Immediate actions that were taken include:
- A new lighter gauge flap at the 90-degree pipe turn at Albert Road. The 90-degree pipe turn was a specific issue raised by the residents of Albert Road with the taskforce team.
- The installation of new pumps at Golf Road Pumping Station.
- The cleaning of screens and pipes to reduce the chance of blockages.
Summer 2022 – meeting Albert Road residents and stage 1
This, however was just the start of the journey, further steps had been identified and approved to increase capacity and performance which will be in place by Autumn 2022.
This was briefed, along with the already undertaken work to residents by Southern Water and their engineers at a meeting organised by Natalie Elphicke MP and Trevor Bond, local Kent County Councillor.
Click here to read the Deal Pathfinder: May 2022 Summary Report
The next round of improvements currently being undertaken include
- The installation of a high-capacity highway gullies in Albert Road to ensure rainwater runoff is dealt with effectively
- A new high-capacity pipe in Albert Road to re-direct more surface water away from Albert Road to Matthews Close Dyke, relieving the strain on Albert Road itself. This will provide additional capacity in the road, to deal with high volumes of excess water during heavy rainfall.
- Improved resilience at Golf Road Pumping Station with additional monitoring instruments and control systems. Modernising the pumping station’s controls and catchment situational awareness to optimise performance under all weather conditions.
Going further – Slow the Flow (stage 2 and beyond)
Deal is one of five pathfinder projects and the initial taskforce investigations have spread to the wider Deal area. This aims to protect residents from flooding, sustain our water resources and keep our waterways clean and green.
A pilot scheme has seen some roads receiving letters in July 2022 from the Groundwork, Southern Water and the Action Taskforce offering a free smart water butt, rain garden planter or a passive water butt. The next stages also aim to
- Trial the above ‘slow the flow’ measures on streets such as bigger planters, rain gardens and swales, as well as working with larger premises e.g. schools and supermarkets.
- Design new measures to improve capacity in the sewer system.
- Install additional monitoring instruments and control systems to improve resilience
across the area. - Evaluate the success of the ‘slow the flow’ measures with residents and further roll
out across the area.
Deal Water Action Taskforce
The beginnings
The Deal Water Action Taskforce was secured by Natalie Elphicke in 2021, as for too long residents in Deal have suffered from flooding – especially in Albert Road.
The aim of this taskforce is to address these problems and find solutions. Natalie Elphicke MP and Cllr Trevor Bond both agreed that getting everyone round the table is the best way to do that.
The taskforce was started to address longstanding sewage issues in the town – particularly Albert Road and has reported jointly to Natalie Elphicke MP and the Chief Executive of Southern Water. The taskforce has also been supported by Dover District Council, Kent County Council and Water Regulator OfWat.
Stage 0 – the first steps
In Albert Road, detailed technical work was undertaken to investigate, survey and map the overground and underground movement of rainwater and sewage to better understand the persistent flooding around Albert Road. Residents were kept up to date and a mid way hybrid meeting with everyone involved was held in the community in December 2021.
The outcomes from the meeting and other residents input has been greatly useful in feeding back and validating the investigatory works. During these investigations key actions were approved and undertaken which are designed to make the water system work more efficiently in the immediate term.
Immediate actions that were taken include:
- A new lighter gauge flap at the 90-degree pipe turn at Albert Road. The 90-degree pipe turn was a specific issue raised by the residents of Albert Road with the taskforce team.
- The installation of new pumps at Golf Road Pumping Station.
- The cleaning of screens and pipes to reduce the chance of blockages.
Summer 2022 – meeting Albert Road residents and stage 1
This, however was just the start of the journey, further steps had been identified and approved to increase capacity and performance which will be in place by Autumn 2022.
This was briefed, along with the already undertaken work to residents by Southern Water and their engineers at a meeting organised by Natalie Elphicke MP and Trevor Bond, local Kent County Councillor.
Click here to read the Deal Pathfinder: May 2022 Summary Report
The next round of improvements currently being undertaken include
- The installation of a high-capacity highway gullies in Albert Road to ensure rainwater runoff is dealt with effectively
- A new high-capacity pipe in Albert Road to re-direct more surface water away from Albert Road to Matthews Close Dyke, relieving the strain on Albert Road itself. This will provide additional capacity in the road, to deal with high volumes of excess water during heavy rainfall.
- Improved resilience at Golf Road Pumping Station with additional monitoring instruments and control systems. Modernising the pumping station’s controls and catchment situational awareness to optimise performance under all weather conditions.
Going further – Slow the Flow (stage 2 and beyond)
Deal is one of five pathfinder projects and the initial taskforce investigations have spread to the wider Deal area. This aims to protect residents from flooding, sustain our water resources and keep our waterways clean and green.
A pilot scheme has seen some roads receiving letters in July 2022 from the Groundwork, Southern Water and the Action Taskforce offering a free smart water butt, rain garden planter or a passive water butt. The next stages also aim to
- Trial the above ‘slow the flow’ measures on streets such as bigger planters, rain gardens and swales, as well as working with larger premises e.g. schools and supermarkets.
- Design new measures to improve capacity in the sewer system.
- Install additional monitoring instruments and control systems to improve resilience
across the area. - Evaluate the success of the ‘slow the flow’ measures with residents and further roll
out across the area.
If you are not in the current pilot area but wish to get involved, please fill in the form below.