Report of the Environment Agency to the meeting of Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be held on 28 June 2016. C
Subject:
Environment Agency Annual Report
Summary statement:
This report is to update the Committee on the work and Environmental Outcomes achieved by the Environment Agency within the Bradford District throughout 2015-2016.
Nicola Hoggart Portfolio: Environment Management Team Leader - Waste
Report Contact: Nicola Hoggart Overview & Scrutiny Area: Phone: (01274) 4302030256660 E-mail: Nicola.hoggart@environment- agency.gov.uk
1. SUMMARY
The Environment Agency protects and improves the environment.
Acting to reduce the impacts of a changing climate on people and wildlife is at the heart of everything we do.
We reduce the risks to people, properties and businesses from flooding and coastal erosion.
We protect and improve the quality of water, making sure there is enough for people, businesses, agriculture and the environment. Our work helps to ensure people can enjoy the water environment through angling and navigation.
We look after land quality, promote sustainable land management and help protect and enhance wildlife habitats. And we work closely with businesses to help them comply with environmental regulations.
We can’t do this alone. We work with government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and communities to make our environment a better place for people and wildlife.
This annual report is to update the committee on the Environmental Outcomes that the Environment Agency has achieved within the Bradford District throughout 2015-2016.
2. BACKGROUND
Flood Risk Management A sustained period of exceptionally wet weather from November 2015 to New Year resulted in severe and extensive flooding across Yorkshire. December 2015 was the wettest calendar month for the UK since records began in 1910, while November and December combined was the wettest two-month period ever recorded. The total rainfall for December 2015 was 200% of the monthly average.
Bradford suffered its worst flood event in the last 30-40 years. 350 domestic properties and 50 businesses were affected in the city of Bradford.
In the Bradford District as a whole, 840 homes and 170 businesses were affected, including Keighley, Bingley, Shipley, Baildon, Apperley Bridge, Addingham, Ilkley and Menston. These were affected by flooding from a number of sources. 400 homes were evacuated across these towns. Working with you at Bradford Metropolitan District Council we will continue to develop a joint action plan of work for the large number of riverside structures that were affected. Repairs to these assets will be completed on a risk basis with those that protect the most people and properties being dealt with first.
Over £1.5 million has been approved for work to repair existing flood risk infrastructure in the Bradford area. The work includes channel clearance, wall repair and rebuilding, and bank repair works. We have completed temporary repairs to damaged defences on the River Worth in Keighley. Together, the Environment Agency and Bradford Metropolitan District Council have identified 15 priority locations for further work or
detailed investigations. These locations are broadly grouped within: Keighley and Stockbridge; Bingley and Airedale; Baildon and Shipley, and Esholt and Apperley Bridge. We are also reviewing our own damaged defences within the Stockbridge and River Worth flood alleviation schemes.
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of our Flood Recovery work within the District
Z Water Quality - The Water Framework Directive
We continue to work on the core principles of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which are to prevent deterioration of our rivers, by protecting what we've already got in our water environment. It means we are looking after the most important pieces of water that is; drinking water, protected areas, bathing waters and habitat sites. We do this when we take regulatory decisions or when we design works in flood risk areas.
The River basin management plans produced under the WFD are very important documents that are strategic standing advice that we or any of our partners can look at and say- that's how we want to manage the future of the water environment.
© © ¨ § ¤ § ¦ The WFD cycle enables us to move rivers to by looking at the places where benefits relative to costs are great, but also look at the opportunities to work with others. Partnership working with Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Friends of Bradford Beck to share evidence and understand how a catchment works has helped us and will help us understand the environment but also access different delivery mechanisms which will improve the water environment.
Z The Land and Water team for the Aire and Calder catchment work hard to ensure we can all maintain the current moderate and good status of the Bradford Districts watercourses. Some of the matters they have dealt with over the last year are outlined in Appendix 2: Examples of Water Quality issues dealt with within the Bradford District.
Z Regulating Waste Permits and Tackling Illegal Waste Activities
Throughout this last year we have remained focussed on regulating the 126 Waste Sector Environmental Permits and 17 Installations Permits within the district and tackling those illegal waste sites (IWSs) that pose the highest environmental and community risk.
Due to our reducing resource across Yorkshire area we now work as one Waste team and not geographically. We have split our work into sectors or packages; this change has helped us to maintain the required standard of operational service.
All associated requests for information, pre-application and general enquiries within the Waste sectors are dealt with by a Waste Enquiries Duty team, and they can be contacted on: [email protected]
Following general compliance visits and associated scores on reports, we have had to serve 15 notices over the last year to ensure compliance with permit conditions, and we have taken action to revoke 1 permit.
Of the 126 Waste permits within the Bradford District from April to December 2015 there were 5 sites that were considered poor performers making them D, E or F band sites and 10 C band sites. The remaining 111 were in band A or B and so considered good or improving performers. A compliance year runs from January to December but so far for this year (2016) the picture is more favourable with only 3 sites considered to be poor performers, although we do have some way to go and we will continue with our robust monitoring regime.
One of our work packages in the Yorkshire waste team is to tackle Illegal Waste Sites (IWSs) across the area as a whole. Within the area we have again worked closely with the Planning and Environmental Enforcement teams at the council to tackle illegal activities. A lot of the activities are considered low risk, and may be small scale burning issues or waste transfer. We prioritise our response to these matters based on our national guidance and often provide initial advice and guidance or formal warnings letters to bring closure to the matter.
Throughout the Bradford district we have had a number of successes as illustrated in Appendix 3: Illegal Waste Sites within the Bradford District.
3. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Z Please note that Nicola Hoggart has changed roles in the short term and will be the lead contact to work with Bradford Metropolitan District Council to further develop our partnership and strategic approach to Flood Risk Management. During this time Nicola will maintain her role as a co-opted member of the committee and will still be your primary contact for Waste / Environment Management and Flood Risk matters within the district.
4. FINANCIAL & RESOURCE APPRAISAL
Z N/A
5. RISK MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE ISSUES
Z N/A
6. LEGAL APPRAISAL
Z N/A
7. OTHER IMPLICATIONS
Z None
7.1 EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
Z None
7.2 SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS
Z None
7.3 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IMPACTS
Z None
7.4 COMMUNITY SAFETY IMPLICATIONS
Z None
7.5 HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
Z N/A
7.6 TRADE UNION
Z N/A
7.7 WARD IMPLICATIONS
Z None 7.8 AREA COMMITTEE ACTION PLAN IMPLICATIONS (for reports to Area Committees only)
Z N/A
8. NOT FOR PUBLICATION DOCUMENTS
Z None
9. OPTIONS
Z N/A
10. RECOMMENDATIONS
% & ' ' % ( ) ( * + ) ' & , - . , / 0 ) + , 1 ( , ' 2 3 ( , 4 5 6 7 $ continuing close work with all partners within the district be welcomed.
11. APPENDICES
Z Appendix 1 Bradford and Wharfe Keeping You Informed Document, an update on Flood Recovery work within the District.
Z Appendix 2 Examples of Water Quality issues dealt with within the Bradford District
Z Appendix 3 Illegal Waste Sites within the Bradford District.
12. BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
Z None.
Keeping you informed
Bradford and the surrounding area May 2016
The devastating floods which hit many communities across Yorkshire Flood damage on 26 December 2015 followed an There are a large number of locations in the Bradford district where riverside structures, including extremely wet November and privately owned walls, have been damaged by the December where rainfall was more floods. We are working closely with Bradford than twice the monthly average. Metropolitan District Council to assess the damage Rivers rose rapidly because the and to develop a joint action plan of work. We are also reviewing our own damaged defences within ground was already saturated from the Stockbridge and River Worth flood alleviation previous heavy rain. The rainfall led schemes. Work to repair assets which protect the to record breaking levels at many of most people and property will be dealt with first. the Environment Agency's
measuring stations along the rivers What we have done since Boxing Day Aire, Calder, Wharfe and Foss. Our flood support officers have visited many of the affected communities. What happened? Our staff, and contractors working on our behalf, Over Christmas and Boxing Day, Pennine areas have been carrying out an extensive repair had over 60mm rainfall in 24 hours and some programme. Over £1.5m has been approved for locations including within the Bradford district had work to repair existing flood risk infrastructure in over 100mm. this area. The work includes channel clearance, The Boxing Day floods followed flooding on 15 wall repair and rebuilding, and bank repair works.
November and 12 December when there were also Our flood risk management staff and Bradford
¢ £ a number of warnings issued for the Aire and Counc ¡ s emergency planning and drainage teams Wharfe, including for Shipley, Addingham, and have attended meetings with other interested Ilkley. parties, including elected members, Yorkshire Most locations along the River Aire through Water and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Bradford and Leeds saw highest ever recorded Service.
levels downstream, the level at Armley, Leeds was over a metre higher than previously recorded. Record levels were also seen on the River Worth at Keighley. The Environment Agency issued Flood Warnings for many communities in Bradford along the rivers Aire, Worth and Wharfe. Around 840 homes and 170 businesses in the Bradford district, including Keighley, Bingley, Shipley, Baildon, Apperley Bridge, Addingham, Ilkley and Menston, were affected by flooding from a number of sources. Our incident room was open 24/7 over the Christmas and New Year period, issuing warnings and deploying staff across Yorkshire.
www.gov.uk/environment-agency 1 of 4 While there is no guarantee of funding for flood defences in these areas, these investigations will allow us to better understand the reasons for flooding and the costs of tackling the sources of flooding. This will mean we will be in a better position to progress particular projects in the future should funding become available. We will now also work together with other partners to further assess the causes of the flooding at these locations and investigate the feasibility of additional measures to reduce the risk of flooding.
Flood relief for residents There are several ways in which Bradford residents who were affected by the Boxing Day floods can
We have completed temporary repairs to damaged receive financial support. Information is available on
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Management Strategy Bradford Council is currently consulting on its proposed Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. They are keen to receive feedback from local residents, businesses, community organisations and others about how clear the strategy is, whether people are concerned about flooding in Bradford district, and if they feel the council have chosen the right objectives to manage flood risk in Bradford district.
Further information about the strategy can be found
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https://www.bradford.gov.uk/consultations/current- consultations/consultation-on-bradford-district-s- local-flood-risk-management-strategy/
Private defences We have removed a number of cars from river channels including this one from the Aire in Shipley It is possible for homeowners and businesses to build private flood defences to protect their properties, but you may need an environmental Working together permit for flood risk activities if you want to work in, under, over or near a main river (including where Together, the Environment Agency and Bradford the river is in a culvert), on or near a flood defence Council have identified 15 priority locations for on a main river, in the flood plain of a main river, or further work or detailed investigations. These near a sea defence. Please call 03708 506 506 to locations are broadly grouped within: discuss your intentions, or email Keighley and Stockbridge [email protected] Bingley and Airedale A private defence will only be approved if the Baildon and Shipley developer can demonstrate that it will not increase Esholt and Apperley Bridge the risk of flooding to other properties.
In addition, we are undertaking initial assessments in Ilkley and Menston. 2 of 4
2 of 4 Be prepared for flooding Emergency and flood plans Being prepared for flooding could save your life and Bradford Council are working with town and parish your property. councils (and other established communities) to write plans that support resilience in the face of any We are currently working with communities across emergency which includes flash flooding. North and West Yorkshire affected by the devastating flooding on Boxing Day. As part of the ongoing Currently there are several town and parish councils recovery, we are recommending that all businesses engaged in the process of writing plans with several and residents sign up to our free floodline warning others at the start of the process. For more service. There are a number of flood warning areas information, contact Chris Slaven: for communities along the Aire, Worth and Wharfe, [email protected] or telephone and this service aims to provide advance warning of 01274 434667. flooding, giving you time to prepare your property.
Although we are working hard to reduce the risk of
¦ Frequently asked questions flooding from rivers across Bradford district ) eliminate the risk altogether. It is therefore still What does the Environment Agency do during a important to be signed up for flood warnings so you flood incident? can be aware of when flooding is possible or Our role is to reduce the impact of floods from rivers expected and take appropriate action. and the sea on people and property. We work You can receive a warning message as a phone call closely with the Emergency Services and Local to your house, place of work or mobile, as well as an Authorities to provide a co-ordinated response. option to receive a text message, fax or e-mail. To We monitor the weather and predicted rainfall check if you are eligible, sign up and receive an information provided by the Met Office to forecast advanced warning of flooding, please register by the possible extent of flooding. We use this calling Floodline 0345 988 1188, or visit our website information to issue flood alerts, flood warnings, and https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings severe flood warnings as required. Homeowners can also consider making their homes We operate flood defences such as pumping more resilient to the effects of flooding. They can stations and flood barriers, clear trash screens, consider installing property level protection measures check defences, and deal with emergency repairs such as door barriers and air-brick covers. Grants can and blockages on main rivers and our own
be available for these measures and further details
¦ ¨ © § © * + ¦ © ¦ , © © § , © ¥ - structures. at www.floodforum.org.uk . We liaise with Flood Wardens and action groups, take calls from members of the public, and respond Other simple steps you can take to prepare for to reports of pollution incidents. flooding include:
Checking your insurance policy covers flooding How can I find out if my property/business is in Knowing where and how to turn off your gas, a flood risk area? electricity and water supplies. Mark them with You can check whether your property or business coloured tape to remind you which one is which falls in a flood risk area by visiting the following Preparing a flood kit with essential emergency webpage: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-a- items, such as insurance documents, blankets, flood/find-out-if-youre-at-risk . wind-up torch, medication etc Keeping a list of useful numbers in a safe place Alternatively, you can send a request for information Considering what things you would move first if by email to: [email protected] you received a warning. Are there some things or by calling 03708 506506. that would be worth keeping upstairs permanently? What action should I take if I have any concerns regarding structural defects or maintenance of A good way to be prepared is to complete a personal flood defences? flood plan and to keep it in a safe place. This allows you to have a lot of the information mentioned above To report any structural defects, concerns regarding all together, ready to use if there is a flood in your flood defences or anything which you believe may area. cause flooding or environmental pollution you should contact our Incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
3 of 4 The wall next to the river on my property has increased flow (conveyance) form an important part been damaged by the floods. Who is going to fix of our maintenance regime. Over the past two years it? we have spent £21 million on dredging. If the wall is a flood defence owned by the The effectiveness of dredging in managing flood risk Environment Agency or by the local council then we varies substantially for each stretch of river. We will fix it as part of our joint flood recovery work. We assess its value on a location-by-location basis, in have been inspecting all of our flood defences and consultation with local communities and our work to repair damaged flood defences is organisations such as Internal Drainage Boards ongoing. (IDBs) as appropriate. In some areas dredging is the most cost effective approach, however, in some However any third party owned assets that are not cases, dredging is not the best long-term solution. maintained by us and do not form an integral part of a flood defence, including responsibility for their repairs, Other measures such as providing better flood generally falls to the owner of the land on which they storage upstream, slowing down the flow of water are located. We are currently making further using land management techniques or building assessments of any defects that fall into this category traditional hard defences such as flood walls may be that have been picked up by our inspections. more effective.
Our website has a section on guidance for riverside Can you reassure us that flooding on this scale property owners called Living on the Edge. You can won't happen again? download a full version from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/riverside No, we will never be able to prevent all flooding but -ownership-rights-and-responsibilities it is important that the country is as resilient as it can be to future flood risk and there is a need to review Depending on the maintenance/repair works, the what changes may be needed to managing flood owner of the land may need to request a Flood Risk risk impacts in the light of these extreme weather Activity Permit from the Environment Agency before events. We know how important it is to work with any works commence. This is to make sure that the communities that have been impacted by flooding to condition of the river is maintained to a high standard. help provide reassurance about future flood risk, Advice on Flood Risk Activity Permits can be found about our flood warnings and how best to minimise on our website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood- impacts on properties. risk-activities-environmental-permits
Will the Environment Agency now undertake Getting in touch dredging of the river bed and increase channel
maintenance in light of the recent flooding? Environment Agency
* / © 0 ¥ - ¨ © © § ¥ 1 - ¦ ¦ / - © ¥ 1 . [email protected] focuses on where it delivers the greatest flood risk www.gov.uk/environment-agency
benefit to people and property. Dredging and other
© ¥ 1 © - 2 ¥ © 0 * * ¦ ¦ 3 © ¦ ¥ ¥ 3 03708 506 506 (Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm) Floodline: 0345 988 1188
4 of 4 Appendix 3 Water Quality issues dealt with within the Bradford District
Dairy Farm, Bingley
Following a report from a member of the public, we investigated and found pollution from a dairy farm; this was entering the River Aire:
We put dye down a drain next to the parlour and had a positive result:
Once the dye test proved that the pollution was coming from his parlour, the farmer investigated and found problems with the drainage on the farm. This was quickly fixed and the pollution was stopped. The farmer received a Warning letter for the offence (contravention of Regulation 12 and 38 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010, causing polluting matter to enter the River Aire, namely dairy washings).
Misconnected toilet- Cottingley
Yorkshire Water received a report from a member of public of a pipe discharging sewage into a small watercourse in Cottingley:
Yorkshire Water investigated and found it to be a private connection so passed it to us. We asked the Company in question to investigate and they found that a toilet had been connected to the surface water system. They quickly rectified the problem. The Company received a Warning letter for this offence.
Land contamination- Diesel spillage
A report was received by a member of the public of a large diesel spill in the grounds of a building development in Thornton. An officer attended and confirmed that a spillage had taken place and was informed that this was due to a break in at the site; resulting in around 650 litres of diesel being spilt on the ground.
The Company employed a specialist contractor to investigate the best way to remediate the ground and our Groundwater and Contaminated Land team reviewed the measures that the Company intended to take and agreed to the proposals.
80 tonnes of contaminated soil was removed from the site.
Sampling and visual monitoring of the local watercourse showed no sign of pollution.
Misconnected toilet- Keighley
We received a report from a fisherman that sewage was entering the River Worth in Keighley. We carried out dye testing in toilets at a business adjacent to the river and got a positive result:
We informed the business; they investigated and quickly rectified the problem. We the re-visited to dye test again and found that the dye no longer entered the river.
Septic tank pollution-sewage fungus
We received reports of pollution to a small beck in Hawksworth and attended on 4 th February 2016. The photos attached, show the effects of the pollution, which was having an impact over a large distance.
The pollution was indicative of organic material getting into the watercourse, most likely sewage; for this reason we wrote to the two properties nearby to arrange to look at their sewage arrangements. On receipt of the letter, the residents inspected their septic tank. They found that rain water had started to enter the tank via an old drain. The heavy rain in January had inundated the tank, flushing sewage through the system rather than allowing the adequate retention time needed. This was then flowing into the beck via an outfall pipe.
The residents quickly took action to stop all surface water entering the tank.
We have since visited the area again and the sewage fungus is no longer present. A sample taken from the outfall into the beck indicates that there is no longer a polluting discharge.
Appendix 2 Illegal Waste Sites within the Bradford District.
Site in Low Moor April 2015
Site in Low Moor July 2015
Second site in Low Moor July 2015
Second site in Low Moor August 2015
Site in Shipley February 2016
Site in Shipley March 2016
Please note the burning in this picture is authorised under a D7 exemption, which can be registered with the Environment Agency. This allows operators to burn clean wood at the place of production.