Wessex Water’s magazine Spring-Summer’21
Flight of the Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig, conservationist and campaigner – page 5
Back to school Book a virtual session with us – Meet our people page 20 Keeping your water top quality – pages 6 to 7
Meet Drop Wessex Water and Plop Foundation Activities for children – Supporting communities in pages 8 and 9 your area – pages 14 to 18 Maintaining essential services Welcome It’s been a year of adaptation and change, but we’ve made sure you elcome to the latest edition of our people and projects the 2020 Recovery magazine. Thanks for joining me as Fund supported on pages 14 to 18. have everything you need to drink, wash, cook and clean as we we delve into how we spot leaks and continue to keep water and sewerage services running as normal. W As life is starting to get back to normal keep the water supply going. We meet Abbie, and restrictions ease, children returning one of our water quality inspectors, who ensures You may have seen our teams out and about over the past few to the classroom could benefit from our your drinking water meets the highest possible months fixing leaks and clearing sewer blockages, as well as working educational offering. From 19 April we will start standards. on key construction projects to make sure your essential services are welcoming schools and other groups to visit our maintained. All of which has been done in a safe way and in line with To help us stay safe and fight coronavirus we have water and sewage treatment works. We also offer Marilyn Smith the government’s advice to keep you supplied with safe, high- all been using more single-use plastics from gloves virtual sessions on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Group Director of quality drinking water and reliable sewerage services, while to masks. This year we are helping communities to Children can learn all about what we do in the Communication protecting our colleagues and the public. make a commitment to change from single-use classroom. To book a visit or virtual session visit & Community wessexwater.co.uk/education plastic by moving to refill not landfill. We have Our dedicated teams have also continued to support customers been working with local councils across our region In this issue we feature ‘Plop and Drop’ who make through our Priority Services Register (PSR) which ensured anyone to install water refill points to reduce the use of learning about the amazing world of water fun – who requires an extra helping hand had the support they needed. single-use plastic water bottles. see pages 8 and 9. We want to hear from you... The Wessex Water Foundation has supported many And with people spending more time at home, we’ve been helping There’s lots more to read. Find out how we are Write to us at Wessex Water projects including Black2Nature. In the magazine our customers manage their water usage and the cost of their bills by working smarter, committed to achieving net-zero Magazine, Public Relations, the founder, Mya-Rose Craig, explains why she set regularly taking meter readings so we can provide support at the carbon emissions from our day-to-day operations Wessex Water, Claverton Down, up the charity and how funding will support young earliest opportunity. by 2030, and how we are partnering with Bath BA2 7WW or email us at people to reconnect with nature following the Somerset Wildlife Trust to ensure cleaner [email protected] Covid-19 pandemic. rivers and ideal habitats for wildlife. There’s no doubt that it’s been an uncertain time and we realise that many people have been worried about what the future holds for You can read more about some of the other great Happy reading their finances. Whether it’s short-term or long-term help you need, we’ll always be here to make sure you have the support you require. 11 14-18 22-23 Editor: Marilyn Smith [email protected] What’s inside Design: Sally Amouroux, Paul Gunning and Sam Weeks this issue Editorial: Ian Drury, Support for you… 4 In the news – a look at the stories that 20 Back to school – book a visit or virtual Lauren East, George Keast, have made the headlines session with us Emily Larque, Pete Orchard, Kirsty Scarlett, Jennifer Staton 5 The flight of the Birdgirl – 21 A breath of fresh air – making the and Tom Thomson. during challenging times Mya-Rose Craig, conservationist most of the great outdoors Guest: Mya-Rose Craig
and campaigner Published by Wessex Water 22-23 Working smart for everyone – 6-7 Meet our people – water quality investing in your area The Wessex Water Magazine
inspector Abbie Turner Claverton Down 24 Inspect a gadget – world-leading Bath BA2 7WW We know life can be unpredictable, it’s why we offer a range of support, from alternative 8-9 Get active with Drop and Plop – technology payment arrangements through to our affordability plans, to best fit your personal Print managed by TaskerStone activities for children and distributed by Royal Mail circumstances. 25 Zero carbon target – plans to reduce 10 Nature holds the key – Mark Lloyd of our carbon footprint Disclaimer: While every reasonable
the Rivers Trust talks about overflows care is taken with all material 26-27 How to create the perfect water submitted to The Wessex Water Magazine, the publisher cannot If you’ve been unable to work during the pandemic and your finances have been affected, 11 Water Guardians – ensuring cleaner efficient garden – our gardening tips accept responsibility for loss or perhaps due to redundancy or being self-employed, we can also help by lowering your bill rivers damage to such material. The 28 Where does your sewage go? – opinions expressed or advice given until you’re back on track. 12-13 Spotting leaks and keeping the explaining what happens to your in this publication are the views of the individual authors and do not water flowing – what we’re doing sewage necessarily represent the views or policies of Wessex Water. 14-18 Wessex Water Foundation – 29 Avoiding water scams – tips on Get in touch today and find out more about the support we offer, visit This publication is copyright and may supporting stronger communities being vigilant not be reproduced in any form either wessexwater.co.uk/helptopay or call our friendly team on 0345 600 3 600 in part or whole without written (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm). 19 Join the fight against plastic 30 Feedback and contact us – your permission from the publishers. pollution – our water refill project views and how to contact us
To contact us or find out more about Wessex Water see our contact details on the page 30 or visit: wessexwater.co.uk in the news The flight Pete Orchard provides a round-up of how we’ve made the headlines
Committed to helping who carry out essential work Volunteers help to build Concrete in sewer customers through tough to keep taps running and find new playground conundrum of the times and fix leaks. Well done all! A team of Wessex Water In January we successfully We continue to put customers Flushed cat litter causes volunteers helped Learning completed repairs to a sewer first and find new ways to blockage nightmare Partnership West (LPW) build in Portland that became help them, according to an south Bristol's first-ever blocked with concrete. independent assessment by adventure playground. the Cabinet Office. The Teyfant Road playground Birdgirl The Customer Service in Hartcliffe provides a fun Excellence award, which we and safe place for children to retained at the turn of the play. year, highlighted areas of Before building work began, outstanding performance in our colleagues paid a visit to handling the Covid-19 Some say it’s bad luck if a black Around nine cubic metres of the site to help lay vital pandemic and other cat crosses your path, but concrete had to be removed Black2Nature is one of the many local charities supported by the Wessex Water Foundation. groundwork. challenges during 2020. there was an even scarier tale from our pipework, caused by Founder Mya-Rose Craig explains why she set up the charity and how funding will support of flushed cat litter causing a They removed weeds and a third-party company young people to reconnect with nature following the Covid-19 pandemic. blockage at a Dorset home. brambles, laid bark, installed working in the area, and our water supply pipework, engineers set up temporary Customers will know our s an 18-year-old British Bangladeshi birder and I founded the charity Black2nature in 2016 to tackle the constructed a footpath and overland pipes along Brandy advice about only flushing the conservationist, I have experienced first-hand the lack of ethnic diversity in the nature sector and to also tidied the area. Row, Brandy Lane and the three Ps – paper, poo and pee Esplanade. A lack of diversity of people enjoying green spaces give opportunities to inner-city children and young – down the toilet. But there around me. Lockdown has highlighted and reinforced how people particularly from VME communities to engage was a surprise for our crews The complex two-month important it is for us as humans to get outside into nature with nature. It is important to have people from all who cleared 35kg of cat litter repair was carried out in and green spaces. The consequences of staying cooped communities enjoying natural spaces to promote from a blocked sewer in difficult weather conditions up indoors can have terrible detrimental effects on our community cohesion and so that everyone can use Wareham, along with wet but did not affect customers’ mental and physical health. connecting with nature to benefit their mental health. Our £50 bill rebate for wipes. sewerage services. frontline NHS workers on Not being able to get outside and into nature has a Black2Nature runs one-day primary age and two-day Mark Bailey, sewerage misuse Director of sewerage George water meters, community manager, said: “Over the years Taylor explained: “We had particularly big impact on teenagers, as we are used to secondary age nature camps to allow young people to engagement on a new sewer we’ve seen a number of engineers working going to school, seeing lots of friends and socialising in connect with nature so that those from different ethnic project and tailored support strange items pulled from our underground on a damaged big groups. I have been on a gap year since the end of April backgrounds are given the same opportunities to engage. for people in vulnerable sewers, but this is the first section of our sewer that 2020, with almost all my friends going away to university. Our nature activities include birdwatching, bird ringing, circumstances were among Archie Morrel, head of time I’ve seen cat litter cause a stretched almost 70 metres. I have been busy working and writing a book, but I have mothing, bio blitzes, art and photography and nature the initiatives that impressed children’s services at LPW, blockage. had almost no contact with other people my age. I have walks. We work with those attending, teaching them the SGS assessors and said: “Wessex Water’s “This was an extremely managed to survive because I have been able to fall back mental health resilience, the importance of nature and ensured we retained an “Animal waste should never volunteers were key partners challenging repair which accreditation we first received be flushed. We advise in making this happen for us inevitably generated some on birding and nature to keep me well. how it can be used to benefit wellbeing. back in 2008. customers to put these types and preparing the site for the noise at times, and I’d like to Visible Minority Ethnic (VME) people suffer much higher Covid-19 has impacted us significantly and we have had to of items in the bin and not building work that took place. thank the local community for This success came shortly incidences of mental illness, with those incidences being change both our tactics and events. We have been down the toilet, as they don’t their understanding. after we were awarded a “They seized the opportunity much more serious and more likely to have been holding family nature and tree planting days but have break up properly in our distinction for operational and were an invaluable help to “The temporary overland diagnosed within the criminal justice system. There is camps planned for the summer. Prior to Covid-19 sewers. excellence by the Institute of us in preparing the site and pipework ensured there were very little research on the subject as to why this is Black2Nature held conferences tackling the lack of Customer Service, who “If a blockage occurs in your laying foundations for both no incidents of flooding, happening except that it is thought that the pressures of diversity within the conservation sector, which raised an recognised the role of our area, it could result in sewage the new structure and to get despite some very wet living dual lives, coping with racism and mental health income which was put towards funding our camps. We critical workers. These ranged backing up into your home the playground ready to weather, and our sewerage stigma are contributing factors. The statistics are are really grateful to Wessex Water for awarding from call centre staff to which can be an unpleasant reopen after lockdown.” network remained operational appalling, with 60% of those admitted into mental health Black2Nature a grant from the Wessex Water Recovery inspectors and repair crews and costly issue to resolve.” at all times.” hospital wards being VME whilst the national average of Fund which we can use to fund our 2021 nature camps. the population that is VME is 14%. For news, tips and advice as well as customer offers, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
4 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 5 M t our people
Keeping your water top quality
Every year we take and analyse tens of thousands of water samples from a variety of sources to ensure your drinking water meets the highest possible standards. We caught What do you enjoy about And finally, what’s the up with our colleague Abbie Turner to find out about a day in the life of providing such your role? biggest challenge that you an essential service. I enjoy lots of things. My team is great face in your job? and I have met some wonderful people The weather! Unfortunately, my team Firstly Abbie, tell us your job Where do you take samples since working for Wessex Water – I’ve and I are exposed to lots of harsh formed good friendships and feel very title, where you are based from? weather conditions as most of our and how long you have safe and supported. sampling is outside and in remote Throughout a collection run I’ll work my worked for Wessex Water. I’m out in the countryside for most of places. Most of our year it feels, is way around water treatment centres, the day, so I get to see the sun rise, the spent tackling wind, rain, floods and service reservoirs and randomly I’m a water quality inspector, based wildlife and some amazing views. I other poor conditions we all moan selected customer properties to take predominantly at Ashford water spend a lot of time in what can often about. I can often be found chasing compliance check samples. I also treatment centre in Somerset and I’ve feel like the middle of nowhere, which down umbrellas or shouting to the sample boreholes and raw water sites, been working at Wessex Water for just perhaps isn’t for everyone, but I find it skies for the rain to “please, just stop!”. sometimes from open reservoirs, What sort of things are the over three and a half years. very peaceful. I’m also given lots of I think we are all grateful when the rivers, streams and canals, so it’s very samples tested for? opportunities to learn which is really warmer weather rolls around (albeit What does a typical day varied and no day is ever the same. important to me. briefly). involve for you? Our sampling regime is responsible for How many samples do ensuring our water adheres to drinking Other than that, as with any job there A typical day on the job starts very water quality legislation – so testing sampling requests, perhaps as part of a you take each day? are days (or nights) that are a bit of a early! I’m often out before sunrise depends on the reasons for taking the struggle. Due to the reactive nature of which you do get used to (sort of). I’ll project or following a burst water main I usually take anywhere between 10 samples and the regulatory or concern from a customer. the role, schedules and workload can usually be assigned a collection run and 20 water samples a day – my requirements for each specific site. get a little tough to manage. It’s not as near where I’m normally based, but My team and I cover large areas, so we collection runs really do vary as we While we do carry out some onsite simple as just filling bottles, we are an sometimes further afield, so the day have to manage our time carefully to often have new sampling requests testing, such as chlorine levels and accredited team and sampling takes typically starts with a drive, followed by make sure the samples are delivered come through last minute. Inevitably temperature checks, most of the care, time and comes with a lot of lots of safety and equipment checks I securely to the laboratory for testing. there will be some days that go analysis is carried out at our laboratory. responsibility. I think it’s about keeping need to complete before I start Once all samples have been delivered, smoother than others! This will usually include testing for your cool, doing what you can safely sampling. I’ll complete my afternoon equipment metals, bacteria, inorganic substances and good communication. such as nitrate, as well as physical As well as my daily round, I’m often checks and restock my van ready for properties like appearance or taste. required to complete ad-hoc or reactive the next day.
6 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 7 Get active with Drop and Plop
Welcome to our Hello, I’m Plop Hello, I’m Drop activity pages where Name: Plop you can have fun Name: Drop Eye colour: Chocolate brown Eye colour: Aquatic blue Height : 10cm learning more about Height: 2.5 mm Weight: 453.6 grams the wonderful world Weight: 0.050 grams Likes: Snorkelling, the luge, tobogganing, water slides, chocolate chip cookies Likes: Free-fall skydiving, all water sports, tap Dislikes: Wet wipes, fats, oils and grease of water. dancing, staying hydrated Dislikes: Single-use plastics, deserts, pollution Biography: Here you get to meet Plop may only be 36 hours old but in that time, he has become a champion tobogganist. He is Biography: incredibly competitive and is never happy being number two. Plop has been known to cause a characters Plop and Drop is billions of years old and has been described bit of a stink when not getting his own way. A dedicated family man, Plop regularly goes Drop who will guide as the source of all life on Earth. This naturally snorkelling with his whole family, but they can drive him around the bend. means that Drop is often under a lot of pressure you through and makes time to let off steam by relaxing in the pool or on the beach. Drop goes with the flow most experiments and a of the time. However, there are some things that tasty recipe you can make him boil with anger, such as single-use plastics. MAKE joke edible poo! try at home. You will need • 1 cup of icing sugar • 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) If you have a nut allergy swap for crumbled wheat biscuits MAKE YOUR OWN WATER CYCLE • 2 tablespoons of milk You will need • 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
987786 Issue date: 22/02/2019 • 1 bowl • Large, clear plastic bottle Professor Drop • Small stones • a spoon • Soil • a container or cling film • Plants • Small amount of water in a jug or watering can Method 1 Put all your ingredients into a medium-sized bowl and mix What to do thoroughly either by hand or with a spoon. You shouldn’t be 1 Place the large clear plastic bottle on its side. able to see any separate pieces. 2 Cut out a flap along the top – long side – of the bottle. 2 If the mixture seems too thick, add some more milk. If the 3 Cover the base – long side – of the bottle with a layer of small stones for drainage. mixture is too soft, add a little more icing sugar. 4 Put a layer of soil on top of the small stones. 3 Once the mixture is a suitable consistency, mould your ‘poo’ into one large 5 Place a selection of small plants in your bottle garden. piece or a couple of smaller pieces. 6 Gently water the garden with a fine spray/small amount of water. 4 Place in a container or wrap in cling film. You may want to leave it soft and 7 Place your water bottle garden on either a window sill or sheltered part of the garden and squidgy or you can put it in the freezer for a couple of hours, so it’s firmer. watch the water cycle repeat again and again. 8 Record your findings on a chart.
Why it works Notice how the water evaporates to the top of your bottle creating condensation which collects Find out more about our FREE in water droplets to form a cloud. It then falls as rain, precipitation, watering your garden and the cycle starts again. education service on page 20
8 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 9 Water Guardians We’re working with Somerset Wildlife Trust to ensure cleaner rivers and ideal habitats for wildlife. Pete Orchard explains more.
rotecting rivers and streams is at the heart of what we do, and Pwe’re always exploring new ways to keep a careful eye on them. Nature holds The Water Guardians community project has been set up to help monitor waterways and report pollution incidents in our region, while also increasing community engagement and partnership working. the key Local volunteers are being recruited and trained to be Guardians, who act as our eyes and ears on the ground and let us know if they spot something that doesn’t look right – not to mention conservation of wildlife, the Mark Lloyd, CEO of The Rivers Trust (right), explains why a vital litter picking, recording of wildlife environment and landscape while change in mindset is needed on the storm overflows and organising events. recognising modern agricultural needs. debate. The pilot project is initially focused on the Brue Valley catchment area of the While pollution rates across our region ollution from human sewage Many have blamed the water companies Somerset Levels and Moors, have drastically reduced in the last has received a peak of media for the problem and highlighted that particularly locations near our water two decades, we’re constantly on the attention over the past year. clean rivers for all should come before recycling centres as well as known lookout for potential problems via Rightly, more people have privatised profits. But the root cause of pollution hotspots and areas of ‘spotters’ on the ground and the very P been asking why 21st-century this national problem is a complex legacy environmental interest and latest water monitoring and sampling Britain allows untreated sewage to spill caused mainly by the way rainwater is importance. technology. into rivers. dealt with after it lands on roofs, roads, Jordan added: “Thriving rivers and and fields. We need to divert rainwater away from Environmental support technician Following public and political pressure, the sewers and slow the flow. We need Jordan Clydesdale said: “The Levels habitats are only possible though in January Defra announced that new For generations the design of the built to start weaving nature back into our and Moors are working wetlands and collaboration with local communities, measures will be required to monitor and natural environment has contributed water management solutions. Water one of Somerset’s most protected landowners, farmers and other overspills from our sewerage systems to hurrying rainwater away as quickly as stored in the landscape in ponds, landscapes for biodiversity. organisations.” and share the information more possible in ditches, gutters and pipes. aquifers and wetlands provides amenity “As well as their importance for transparently. This is an important value, biodiversity habitat, drought Get on board Much of this water ends up being agriculture, they are a haven for first step. resilience and often the potential for combined with foul sewage from homes wintering waterfowl and waders, New volunteers are always welcome, carbon sequestration. It can also be At The Rivers Trust we have helped and businesses. It simply isn’t feasible flower-rich wet grasslands and rich particularly those who live near and managed to reduce the flood risk to drive this debate by making this data to expand sewage treatment works, or invertebrate communities.” love their rivers. Water Guardians can accessible in an online map, calling on the network of sewerage pipes, to towns, helping to mitigate misery and take part as individuals, couples, people to write to their MPs to support accommodate and treat this enormous huge financial losses to thousands of Better together families or community groups. a new bill addressing sewage in inland volume as our towns and highways have people each year. Both the Wildlife Trust and ourselves For more information visit waters, and supporting local community grown. Frankly, this reversal of our philosophy are members of the Somerset groups to apply for bathing waters to be the Somerset Wildlife Trust website or So, the solution to sewage pollution is of water management over the past Catchment Partnership, which has designated and safeguarded. We carried email [email protected] not dilution – it is in fact the opposite; we centuries is a no-brainer. It’s also worked collaboratively since 2013 to out a monitoring day at the popular need to ensure that sewage remains as essential if we want sewage-free rivers promote and enhance the Warleigh Weir, near Bath, where Wessex concentrated as possible so that it can be to play in, and to be resilient against the Water, citizen scientists and outdoor treated properly before it is discharged more extreme weather impacted by the swimmers collaborated to get a better Water Guardians Paula Griffin and Christine Adamson into the environment. climate crisis. understanding of water quality.
10 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 11 Spotting leaks and keeping the water flowing
eakage is one of the most visible issues water L companies face, and something we know our customers are very aware of.
With leakage already sitting at our lowest level ever, over the next five years, Wessex Water has a target to reduce leakage by another 15% by 2025. This is a big target, but we’re up for the challenge.
Leaks and bursts can be caused strategic points on our when older pipes reach the end of water network and let leak. We're focused their life, and changes in the us know immediately if on investigating and weather can cause havoc – especially they detect a leak or a repairing as many as when we have a warm spell straight change in acoustic possible of the after freezing temperatures noise. They help us leaks reported by resulting in ground movements. pinpoint the location of customers, by the next working day. We’re working differently to help a potential leak and keep leakage to a minimum – using mean we can get out to On average, our clever technology like acoustic fix the problem as eagle-eyed quickly as possible. loggers and closely monitoring customers report pressure in our network to make a Customers can also play an 440 leaks a month – 200 of these big difference. important role by letting us know as are classified as ‘significant’.
Our acoustic loggers are placed at soon as you spot what could be a
Thinking outside the box Sometimes when we have a leak or a burst it can stop the flow to homes or reduce water pressure. We know this is really inconvenient, and we do everything we can to get those taps running and toilets flushing again as quickly as possible.
If we can’t repair an issue quickly, we’ll look at different ways around the problem.
We often have more than one way to get water to an area. We can shut off the broken pipes and redirect the flow through others, or sometimes we may need to bring big tankers of drinking water to your area to pump into the network.
Using these tankers keeps the water flowing, and also means that our teams can get to work in a safer environment. For the most tricky repairs, this can mean that supplies of water may be interrupted for just hours, rather than days.
We’re always working to replace older pipes, or spotting leaks, but if you see something that doesn’t look right, please let us know. You can visit our website or call 0345 600 4 600.
12 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 13 Wessex Water Foundation – advice service to help people facing a 2021 and will support charitable and drop in income in Wiltshire, equine- community activities that improve the supporting stronger communities assisted therapy for young people and local environment and have a positive Throughout the coronavirus pandemic adults struggling with isolation in impact on the quality of life in the local we have seen a fantastic response Somerset and a charity distributing area. These grants are particularly from local communities who have activity packs to isolated families in focused on projects that support stepped up and provided essential Weston-super-Mare. You can read conservation of water use, reduction of support for the most vulnerable. We more about some of the great people single-use plastic, reducing waste or have responded to this immediate and projects our 2020 Recovery Fund improvements in local biodiversity. need and are making a firm supported in the following pages. commitment to the long-term future Wessex Water Foundation – and wellbeing of our communities. Future investment in communities Community Fund That’s why people hit hardest by the The Wessex Water Foundation Funding for local community projects Trowbridge Future: Tackling food poverty Covid-19 crisis were the first to benefit provides funding for projects which will be open for applications from early bring people together to build stronger from the Wessex Water Foundation in September 2021 and will support Trowbridge Future is a small charity that offers support to vulnerable people in the area through a summer 2020 and this dedicated communities and a better environment charitable and community activities funding scheme is now being run in across our local region, and from 2021 that aim to improve the lives of local number of initiatives. We’ve provided the charity with funding to help run its essential Community partnership with the Somerset, our new permanent fund will provide at people by working to support Fridge project. Wiltshire, Dorset and Quartet least £500,000 of funding every year. community cohesion and bring Community Foundations to reach local This fund will enable us to continue to communities together. We had a chat with Trowbridge Future’s community manager Zoe Meaden to find out more about groups who need it most. invest in local communities who will Grants and support to projects that are the project. bear the burden of supporting the Immediate support for local groups based in areas of financial deprivation most vulnerable in the challenging or rural isolation and funding will also What is the Community Fridge project? What’s your involvement? To provide immediate support to local times ahead. be made available for activities that The Community Fridge project started as a war on food As the community manager, I am responsible for running groups responding to the crisis, in Details of funding that will be support financial capability and money waste. It ensures perfectly good food that supermarkets the fridge. I collect food from a local supermarket and summer 2020 we donated £120,000 available this year can be found at management projects for people who and other places would usually throw out doesn’t go to bakery, while also doing the promotion and fundraising for to local emergency appeals with wessexwater.co.uk/funding and face financial difficulties. waste. With the current financial climate, we realised the project. Additionally, I help to signpost local people to community foundations. you can find the links there for how to These grants are targeted at local there was a real need for our Community Fridge and have the fridge and other local services they might need. These funds have helped contribute apply for support for your local area. organisations with charitable aims been providing locals with food supplies. towards a wide variety of community How will our funding support this project? Wessex Water Foundation – where a small amount of money can projects and charities all over our area. make a significant difference. How has the pandemic affected the project? Wessex Water’s funding will be used to help run our Environment Fund These include a community fridge The pandemic led to our first Community Fridge, located in Community Fridge, which will allow us to further address Find out more and how to apply at the Shires Shopping Centre, closing down as our food poverty in our community, while also reducing the project to help feed local people in The next round of funding will open for wessexwater.co.uk/funding Bournemouth, a community money applications from Monday 3rd May community hub was too small for social distancing. We carbon footprint of local supermarkets and businesses. decided to start running a Community Fridge at our Seymour Community Hub as there was more room, which Find out more about Trowbridge Future at allowed us to continue supporting our community. trowbridgefuture.org.uk
Who benefits from your Community Fridge? The fridge is open to anyone in Trowbridge – it’s about “feeding bellies not bins”. We don’t want people to feel a stigma around using the fridge. It’s open once a week for Find out more and how to apply at people to pop in and pick up food. In total, we are helping wessexwater.co.uk/funding to feed around 160 people every week. Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community
14 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 15 Wivey Cares: Supporting the community Dorset Mind: Improving Based in Wiveliscombe, Wivey Cares was set up in 2018 in response to the growing challenge of caring for the elderly in the area. To ensure the charity can continue to support vulnerable people during these difficult times, we’ve provided it with funding to help cover the cost of a coordinator. wellbeing through ecotherapy Dorset Mind supports the mental wellbeing of people in the area through a variety of one-to-one We spoke with Joanna Forrester, who volunteers at Wivey Cares, to find out more about the charity. and group services. With the help of our funding, the charity will replicate a recent gardening ecotherapy project, called The GAP Project, in four other areas across Dorset. How does Wivey Cares support its community? How has Covid-19 affected your volunteering? The charity was originally set up to provide volunteer When the pandemic began, there was a need for us to We caught up with Terry Dunn, who volunteers at Dorset Mind, to learn more about the project. carers to the elderly in the town. We have now expanded deliver food and prescriptions to households across our offering to support all adults experiencing loneliness, Wiveliscombe. Our local food shops and pharmacies made What is The GAP Project? mental wellbeing of those taking part by providing them while also providing additional services, including meal this process as simple as possible which is a testament to The GAP Project encourages people to get outdoors and with the opportunity to connect with others while deliveries and memory cafés. the town’s community spirit. take up gardening, helping to improve their mental and maintaining allotments. physical wellbeing! Gardening is now widely accepted as a What’s your role at the charity? How will our funding help the charity? very powerful means of reducing stress and anxiety. The How has Covid-19 affected the work you do? I started volunteering at Wivey Cares in 2019. My first role At the moment, there is only one paid worker who works project also promotes getting active and provides those I have continued to volunteer while following the relevant involved helping a local woman by taking her to social for a few hours a week coordinating activities. As a result taking part with a real sense of achievement. safety measures. The pandemic has mainly affected the events and maintaining her garden. I have also provided of Covid-19, we require her to work more often. Wessex number of clients taking part in our outdoor activities. bedside assistance and a transport service to other Water’s funding will help the charity to increase her hours, Why did you get involved? Hopefully, these numbers will improve as restrictions get beneficiaries. Recently, I’ve been taking a local woman out enabling us to support our community more effectively! I have been volunteering at The Gap Project since August eased and summer approaches! for a coffee and helping her with her shopping. 2020. I became a volunteer as I wanted to contribute in Find out more about Wivey Cares at wiveycares.net some way to my local community. Also, in recent years, I What are the upcoming plans for the project? Why did you become a volunteer? have developed a real enjoyment for gardening, so it I feel that The GAP Project has huge potential to continue When my father developed vascular dementia 15 years seemed like the perfect fit. benefiting the mental health of local people. We will be ago and my mother was struggling to take care of him, I opening our new site soon, which will allow us to reach far was gutted that I lived too far away to help. I always How will our funding support the project? more people and further develop new ideas and other wished there was someone in the area who could help Find out more and how to apply at Wessex Water’s funding will help us to expand The GAP projects. them out, so when the opportunity presented itself to be wessexwater.co.uk/funding Project, which will allow more people in the area to take that person in Wiveliscombe I wanted to be involved! part in gardening activities. This will help to improve the Find out more about Dorset Mind at dorsetmind.uk
16 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 17 Join the fight against plastic pollution
Over the last year, as communities work to stay safe and fight the coronavirus, we’ve all been using a wide range of single-use plastics, from gloves to face masks. This year we’re helping communities to make a commitment to switch from avoidable single-use plastic by choosing to ‘Refill not Landfill’.
he need to combat the climate emergency and plastic pollution is greater than ever, which is why T we’ve been working with local councils across the region to install water refill points and cut the use of single-use plastic water bottles.
About refill APE Project: Improving St Paul’s In the UK 7.7 billion plastic water bottles are used every year, with the average person using around 150 bottles a year. Despite being labelled ‘recyclable’, a large amount of Adventure Playground these bottles end up in landfill and waterways, harming both the environment and wildlife. A number of our refill points will be in operation while we APE (Art, Play and Environment) Project aims to enhance the lives of children in Bristol by providing adjust to restrictions easing, but we aim to have them all access to play opportunities and activities. The charity will use our funding to make improvements We have been installing refill points in towns and cities turned back on as soon as possible. throughout the area we serve to help tackle this issue, to its community garden for the benefit of local young people. while also keeping customers hydrated. If you see one of More refill points will be coming to Wiltshire, Dorset, We interviewed Stan Jones, who volunteers at APE Project, to learn more about the charity. our refill points in your area or on your travels, try topping Somerset and Bath during 2021. Further information can up your bottle with tap water for free instead of buying be found at wessexwater.co.uk/refill bottled water. What is the purpose of APE Project? for three years and in this time, I have helped with a Top tips to refill safely Our main purpose is to challenge cultural, economic and number of fundraising and development projects. Where have we installed refill points? Follow our top tips to protect yourself and others social disadvantage by providing free, accessible activities when using refill points. and opportunities that support our community. We have Have you been volunteering during the pandemic? Our refill team has been working to install refill points in 1. Sanitise your hands before and after using the unit tried to create an inclusive and safe space for children to Yes, after a fire destroyed half of our outdoor play communities across the south west. You can find them in 2. Keep a safe distance from the person in front of you play and grow together. structure earlier this year, I was involved in the rebuild. It the following places: when queuing has been transformed into an amazing new space for the • County Hall Atrium, Trowbridge 3. Don’t touch the unit’s nozzle with the top of your How does the charity support its community? kids and we are aiming to have it back open before • Market Square, Salisbury bottle We hold a lot of our activities at St Paul's Adventure autumn. • High Street, Salisbury 4. Minimise contact with the unit by only touching the Playground in Bristol and a number of families have said • The Market Place, Devizes • Warminster Library and Museum refill button the playground is their home away from home. APE Project How will our funding help the charity? • Hope Square, Weymouth has a massive influence on young people in the area and is Wessex Water’s funding will pay for the installation of a All our refill points are cleaned and maintained • The Esplanade, Weymouth critical to their development. water harvesting and irrigation system at the top of our regularly to ensure high standards of water • New Bond Street, Weymouth playground. The new system will allow the children to quality and hygiene. • Alexandra Gardens, Weymouth Tell us about your time at APE Project! maintain our community garden, vegetable plot and I originally began volunteering with the charity at age 14 wildlife pond, while also saving a huge amount of water! • South Street, Dorchester to achieve my Duke of Edinburgh’s award, but I fell in love • Bucky Doo Square, Bridport Download the Refill app to find water refill with the ‘family feel’ and never left. I have now been here Find out more about APE Project at apeproject.co.uk • Market Place, Blandford Forum • James Street West, Bath points near you refill.org.uk
18 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 19 With life starting to return to normal children across the country will be glad to be back in the a breath of classroom with their friends and teachers. As restrictions ease, we want to remind parents and teachers about our educational service and how we can lend a helping hand in and out of the fresh air Back to classroom. school
Meet us in person oing outside for some daily seasonal leaves and bugs you can exercise has become the look out for. During lockdown our education highlight of many people’s advisers have not been able to visit Gday, but to others the Another idea is to encourage your schools in person, but this hasn’t street to draw different pictures to benefits of a walk can be overlooked. stopped them from working with Virtual learning place in windows which you can look children and students through virtual We understand some people may not As well as improving our physical out for on your next walk. sessions. want to meet us in person just yet, health, a brisk walk can help us sleep
which is why we are also offering better, lift our mood and is a great They are now ready to get back into Take a moment for yourself support through our virtual sessions way of staying connected with the classroom, so if you’re a teacher Going for a walk can be as simple as and educational resources. friends, family, and our local looking for some support or additional Look for country parks and walking to the shops or taking a quick communities too. stroll around your street on your material, our advisers can deliver a We are holding virtual sessions and open spaces lunchtime break. It’s also a great short assembly or classroom lesson assemblies via Zoom or Microsoft We’re spoilt for choice when it comes You’ll be surprised by the number of opportunity to take some time for that ties in with your objectives. They Teams so that children can learn to scenery in our region, so you don’t great walking spots available on your yourself and listen to music or catch cover a range of topics, including the directly from their classroom without have to go far to find a walking spot doorstep. Many are open all year up on a podcast – it won’t even feel water cycle, river studies, water and one of our education advisers having close to you. round and free of charge. sewage treatment, climate change to be there in person. like you’re exercising. and more! So, whether you’re looking for a great We recommend getting in touch with
Our education team has also produced outdoors adventure or just looking to your local council or Wildlife Trust to Get Wild about Wessex We also plan to start welcoming a number of investigations, activities take a quick stroll with the family, find a list of places in your area and to Whether you’re an avid hiker or still schools and other groups to our water and demonstrations that cover a here are some ideas to help make check the current visitor information. and sewage treatment works from range of scientific topics. There are walking part of your daily routine. finding your pace, you can find a 19 April. Our site tours give children activities suited to KS1, KS2 and KS3, Our region is also home to many walking route that suits you at our lakes and reservoirs. the opportunity to see first-hand how and they can all be downloaded from historical sites and both the English their waste and water is treated. our website for free. Heritage and National Trust have There’s the five-mile Clatworthy Social distancing measures will be in places you can visit for free too. Round at Clatworthy reservoir for place to ensure the safety of our staff those looking to stretch their legs or and visitors. Go on a treasure trail you can enjoy a one-mile walk
Ahoy, me hearties – treasure trails are through a traditional hay meadow at not just for pirates. Scavenger hunts Sutton Bingham reservoir.
are a great way of exploring where Find out more about the activities you live, and you can get the whole and facilities we have available at our neighbourhood involved as well. Book now sites and plan a future trip by visiting To book a free school visit, site tour or virtual session, or download our free education resources Have a go at making a list of items wessexwater.co.uk/community you can find close to you or different visit wessexwater.co.uk/education
20 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 21 Working smart for everyone
taking away your sewage and waste has been designed to ensure we Henbury For You. For Life. water, with sewers being upgraded and minimise our ecological impact and renewed and collaborative projects to follow environmental requirements, Investing in Bristol’s future A temporary compound has been set up at Crow Lane It’s not just a catchy title for this reduce flooding. Treatment capacity is both during and after our work. ur £55 million project to construct a new Open Space in Henbury to connect the new sewer with magazine, but sums up our being increased at our water recycling 6.5km relief sewer in North Bristol is making the existing Henbury network. The connection will take commitment to keep pace with a Elsewhere, we’re trialling nature- centres (WRCs), including Salisbury and good progress. It will connect Bristol’s existing place at the bottom of a 30-metre deep shaft which was changing world. based solutions such as wetlands Hurdcott in Wiltshire. trunk sewer in Lawrence Weston to the Frome constructed in 2020. and woodlands as part of the O While our average water and Valley relief sewer near Cribbs Causeway and help our government’s green recovery A connecting pipe has also been laid from a separate sewerage charges for 2021/22 have sewerage network cope with ongoing and future initiative. This approach, which compound off Henbury Road, through the grounds of decreased for a second year running, development across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. involves collaborating with developers Henbury Court Primary Academy and finishing at the we’re investing more than ever and and landowners, delivers more for the Currently on track to finish by summer 2022, most of deep shaft. working smarter on projects near you. environment while reducing the cost the new sewer is being constructed by tunnelling deep This investment and innovation will of housing. underground using a tunnel boring machine (pictured Catbrain and Filton Airfield benefit customers now and in the last year being lowered into its launch pit). This method A deep shaft has also been constructed in the former future, while our people are proud to Value for money is much quicker, better for the environment and less Filton Airfield to connect the new relief sewer with the support the communities they live and Engineering innovation is having disruptive to the city of Bristol, allowing us to pass existing Catbrain and Cribbs Causeway network. A work in. similar environmental and economic directly underneath the Henbury Loop freight railway connecting pipe between the two sewers and two new benefits, typified by our scheme at The ‘day job’ Protecting the environment and the M5 motorway. inspection chambers have also been placed. the River Parrett in Bridgwater where We supply some of the highest quality By 2024 we will have invested 40-year-old sewer pipes had to be drinking water in the world, and a £57 million in new nutrient removal Lawrence Weston The Bristol Golf Club replaced. programme of upgrading and treatment in Somerset alone, while an Lawrence Weston is where the tunnel boring machine Our tunnel boring machine will complete its journey in renewing ageing pipes means less is upgrade of sites such as Cerne Abbas This work ordinarily requires began its journey in June 2020, launched from a site 2022 in a site compound that we have constructed being lost on its way to your taps. WRC in Dorset (pictured) will do the horizontal drilling and deep trenches compound we constructed in the hillside below Oasis alongside the 15th fairway of The Bristol Golf Club’s Leakage in our region is now at its same to stop phosphorus reaching that would have a significant impact Academy Bank Leaze Primary School. course. There is an existing sewer underneath the lowest-ever level, and we’re rivers. on the river, but we were able to reline course, so we will be constructing a chamber for the A smaller section of sewer, to connect the main tunnel committed to reducing this by a Phosphates can cause eutrophication the pipes with a UK-first standard new relief sewer to connect to this. with the existing Bristol network, has also now been further 15% by 2025. (excessive plant growth) in resin to complete the job in three constructed through the playing fields of St Bede’s The golf course will remain fully open throughout our watercourses and come from weeks – costing £900,000 less than Meeting the demands of a growing Catholic College and a green space outside Lawrence work and guidance is being issued to members on how agriculture and urban run-off, not just traditional techniques. population will be helped by projects Weston Community Farm. to play safely around our compound. sewage treatment. That’s why we’ve like Martin’s Down service reservoir, a Find out more spearheaded collaboration with £3.5 million underground storage For more information, visit farmers and others who can affect You can read our business plan facility that is buried out of sight in the wessexwater.co.uk/NBRS water quality. for details of our investments for glorious countryside near Dorchester. 2020 to 2025 on our website. It’s a similar story when it comes to The £4 million Cerne Abbas project Visit wessexwater.co.uk 22 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 23 There are changes we can all make to reduce our carbon footprint, from how we use transport to reducing our energy use. At Wessex Water we’re doing our bit by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
urning fossil fuels has Dan Green, head of sustainability and already led to one degree innovation at Wessex Water, said: “We B centigrade of warming have been monitoring carbon emissions since 1900. The United Nations, since the late 1990s and targeting UK government and many other annual emissions reductions for more organisations say that the world than 10 years. faces a climate emergency, and “We aim to reduce our emissions as together we must take urgent much as possible. Additionally, we are action if we are to avoid serious looking at how to enhance the amount How world-leading technology, innovation and expertise are helping us repair consequences. of carbon locked up in trees and soil in sewers more efficiently – and reducing disruption for our customers. Wessex Water has a Wessex Water is using vehicles that are better for our region. Buying carbon offsets would responsibility too and we have the environment. only be considered as a last resort.” committed to achieving net-zero elf-driving cameras, artificial intelligence (AI) Sewer rehabilitation manager Julian Britton said: “We carbon emissions from our day-to-day operations by 2030, The threat of climate change boats and ‘no dig’ techniques mean we’ve never can remotely survey sewer tunnels that are virtually as well as adapting to the more extreme weather associated We continue to prepare for the most severe climate-related known more about the network of tunnels that inaccessible for a person, such as in central Bristol with a warmer climate. most of us take for granted when we flush the loo. where there are around 40km of them. threats to the services we provide. Extreme weather events S The nature of moving water around the region and across including heatwaves, droughts, intense storms and We’ve used CCTV to survey our sewers since 1963, “Clearly this is a lot safer and more efficient, as well as undulating countryside, as well as processes for treating prolonged rainfall will occur more frequently and to a although it’s fair to say technology has come a long being much less disruptive to road users. The latest your water and sewage, can be energy intensive. In fact, greater200 intensity in future. way since and cameras are now being replaced by self-driving cameras available next year will mean we electricity use currently accounts for just over half of our Dan added. “Making sure we have resilient services will laser technology known as LiDAR. only have to stop traffic for a few minutes.” greenhouse gas emissions. Another quarter is caused by 150 e
help 2 us adapt to extreme weather events occurring more methane and nitrous oxide gases which are released from This year we’ve picked up industry awards for Telesto, Julian and his team have scoured the globe for frequently as the impacts of climate change intensify.” the biological breakdown and treatment of sewage. 100 a multi-sensor AI survey boat that we developed with knowledge, with visits to Sydney, Singapore, Hong We will be publishing our route map to net-zero emissions in Headlight AI and is used to measure and map sewers. Kong and elsewhere in recent years. Our carbon footprint a few months’ time and we’ll feature it in the next edition of Kilotonnes CO Kilotonnes 50 Wessex Water’s magazine. LiDAR laser beams make models of the sewers before “We’re certainly the leading water company in the UK We have already started our journey towards net-zero the images are rendered, a bit like wallpapering. when it comes to doing the maths, making sure our through energy efficiency work, assessing opportunities to 0 These models are shown to property developers so customers get the very best value for money,” Julian increase renewable energy generation, trialling low carbon 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 they know exactly what lies beneath the ground added. vehicles, and increasing understanding of emissions from before building begins. sludge and waste water processing. “Knowing how long our sewer tunnels will last means From Somerset to Singapore huge cost savings. Beyond this, we’re massively reducing our carbon footprint with trenchless Wessex Water’s carbon footprint Not digging deep trenches for pipes means less visual technology that removes lorry movements from the impact on the environment, including at our recent roads.” How we’re reducing carbon emissions
sewerage improvement project beside the River 200 Outsourced core activities Parrett. What’s next? Public transport Grid electricity We were the first company in the UK to use calcium We’re speaking to partner companies as far afield as 150 e
2 Transport – our vehicles aluminate cement (CAC) to line tunnels, while our Re- Russia and Norway to look at the next potential ‘game Rounder sewer robot applies techniques inspired by changer’ in the way we work. 100 human heart surgery. Ideas include coatings or sprays for sewer liners that Onsite gas, diesel etc One job in Malmesbury, Wiltshire saw the Re-Rounder could repel the fats, oils and greases that lead to CO Kilotonnes 50 repair a 50m section of pipe in 90 minutes – a job blockages. Watch this space! which would normally require digging all day in a 0 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 Methane and nitrous oxide narrow road.
24 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 25 Get your home How to create the perfect water efficient garden Water Fit Having a garden that reduces your ‘water footprint’ and even a couple of centimetres, will mean it grows longer roots so it can reach water from deeper improves biodiversity doesn’t require lots of effort and in the soil. skill, nor does it mean you have to scale back on how Choosing the right plants You don’t have to spend a fortune on attractive it looks. Here we have some simple ways to Mediterranean plants to achieve a drought- improve your garden’s water efficiency. tolerant garden. Many familiar species are well adapted to cope with dry weather, such as pring has finally sprung. And They come in various sizes, so lavender, geranium, verbena, alliums and after an unusual winter (to even if you only have a small sedums. All fantastic pollinators too! We’ve launched a new, free-to-use tool to help end a very unusual 2020!), garden, you might be able to fit a And if you like growing your own produce, opt you save money on your water bills, claim free we’reS all looking forward to slim one neatly into a corner. for perennial varieties so you don’t have to spending some time in the garden Remember to raise them to an water saving devices for your home and raise plant from seed every year, which requires a lot and getting it ready for summer. appropriate height to allow your money for local charities. of watering and attention to get them to grow watering can to fit underneath. Each year brings its challenges to deep roots. Think soft fruits, artichokes, Have you ever wondered how many litres of water your daily experienced and novice gardeners Retaining water in the rhubarb and kale. shower uses? Or if you’re more of a bath person, how many litres alike and climate change means soil do you think it takes to fill a bath each time? that British weather can behave Positive watering habits With GetWaterFit, you can calculate how much water your more erratically than in previous By keeping water in the ground or The best time to water your plants is in the household uses and set yourself some easy challenges to make years, with long and unexpected in your plant pots for longer, your morning just as the sun is coming up, because savings and reduce your water bill if you’re on a meter. dry or wet spells. garden will be more prepared for plants start using water as soon as it is light, long periods of dry weather and So, how can we protect our most but they use much less overnight when it is Save on water bills you won’t have to water as often. precious natural resource – water dark. – and keep a healthy, flourishing Using organic mulch, for example If you’re on a water meter, fully understanding your water use and Many people water in the evening to retain where you can cut it down without making any serious changes to garden that can adapt to changes woodchip or home-made compost, water, however this can encourage mildew and your daily routine will save you money on your water bill. Even small in weather? is like adding a protective layer to fungal diseases if the leaves stay wet overnight, actions such as only using your washing machine for a full load or your soil and is a really simple way as well as slugs and snails in the soil. Harvest the rain of helping it retain moisture. turning the tap off when brushing your teeth can make a big Go that one step further and try reusing water Plants will always prefer the difference over time. As for grass, we can all appreciate from inside the home, perhaps from last night’s naturally occurring elements in the splendour of a perfectly green steamed vegetables (which pack the water full As well as saving money, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint, rainwater compared to tap water, and well-manicured lawn. But you of nutrients) or by placing small buckets in sinks especially if you cut down your hot water usage. which has been treated for human don’t need to water it with a and showers when you are using them. consumption. So give them what hosepipe or sprinkler to achieve Get FREE water saving devices they want and harvest rainwater For more easy advice on ways to save water, this. Mow the lawn so that it’s neat, By completing GetWaterFit, which takes around five minutes, you throughout the year with a water but not very short. Longer grass, both in the garden and inside the home, visit butt. wessexwater.co.uk/savingwater can claim a selection of free water saving devices from us. Our freebies include tap inserts to cap the flow of your taps, a cistern bag for single-flush toilets to only use as much water as you need when flushing, a strip which can detect if your toilet is leaking, and more. Raise money for charity Completing the water calculator is just the first step to your GetWaterFit journey. You can set yourself challenges to save water and make your home water efficient. Completing the challenges earns you ‘coins’ which you can exchange to raise money for some amazing local charities. The more challenges you complete and coins you earn, the more we will donate to your chosen charities on your behalf. Try it out for FREE today at wessexwater.co.uk/getwaterfit
26 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 27 Where does your sewage go? Avoiding water scams It’s an astonishing figure, but we treat 480 million litres of sewage every Scams to dupe people into parting with personal information, generally single day. for financial gain, have been around for some time. Being vigilant could The water you use to clean your teeth, shower, bath and to flush the toilet help ensure you don’t become a victim. along with rainwater from roads, gardens and some liquid organic waste from industry – all of it becomes sewage. 1. Telephone calls 4. Bogus callers 5. Malicious emails Emily Larque spoke to sewerage operator Darren Penny to find out more. These can involve demands for water Thankfully the number of bogus caller Fraudulent emails might include our bill payments where you are incidents where people claim to be logo and initially appear to be from pressurised for card payment details from Wessex Water to enter a Wessex Water when they are not. Where does sewage go? in our organic treatment process, what they put down the drain or or told a direct debit has failed and property have reduced. However, we These are becoming more and more Once it leaves your home, your or even in your own home. No one loo, or letting us know if something you need to make an immediate still do hear of these occasionally sophisticated. Signs to look out for are waste arrives in our sewer network wants a backed-up toilet! doesn’t look right. We’ll come out payment. Our advisers would never happening. It is very rare that one of where there appears to be a sense of really quickly to take a look. put any customer under pressure to our staff would need to enter your urgency, for example, the threat that and travels to one of our water make a payment in this way. If this home – if they do need to enter they unless you act immediately your What’s the strangest thing recycling centres – which we used Sometimes misconnections can happens to you, end the call and will always show their identity card account may be closed. If you are to call sewage treatment works. you’ve found when clearing check with our billing team directly on first and will be happy to wait while suspicious do not click on any links cause pollutions too. a blockage? 0345 600 3 600 (Monday to Friday, you confirm their identity. If you are and never provide personal Once it arrives there, any debris or 8am to 8pm, Saturday, 8am to 2pm). elderly or in vulnerable circumstances information such as user name, large objects are removed. The We find all sorts of things. Lumps What’s a misconnection? consider signing up to Priority password or bank details. of wet wipes are sadly still really 2. Text messages Services and we can set up a sewage then flows into tanks This is where dirty water from where the solid parts sink to the common – they don’t break down in homes could be draining into the All genuine text messages from password in case we ever need to bottom so they can be removed and the same way as toilet paper does. wrong sewer. This could end up in Wessex Water will have “Wessex visit. turned into fertiliser or biogas. We also find cat litter, kids’ toys, rivers rather than being treated. Water” as the sender information.
mobile phones, false teeth! Sometimes washing machines or We use text messages to inform The sewage is treated biologically – customers of water supply a new toilet or kitchen can be with the liquid passing through interruptions or incidents that they What can happen if the misconnected. We’ve got advice stone or plastic filters with bacteria should be aware of. We never ask sewers get blocked? on our website. customers for bank details or to make growing on them. The bacteria feed As well as a heap of mess, an payments by text. You can be added to off the waste and help clean the overflowing sewer can mean that Find out more our official text service by visiting water. the waste can get into the Turn to page 10 to read an wessexwater.co.uk/UpdateMyDetails
environment – into the soil, rivers interview with Mark Lloyd of The 3. Charging premium rates to What can be flushed? or sea. It’s a type of pollution. Rivers Trust, all about overflows. call us We always say to only flush the 3Ps Also, on page 24 we look at how Everyone can help prevent that – paper, poo and pee. Anything else clever tech is used to care for While this may not be illegal, we feel from happening by thinking about it is simply wrong that some can cause problems in our sewers, our sewers. companies provide an unofficial Wessex Water telephone number, which can charge the caller extortionate amounts of money when dialled, only to be transferred to the official number. These can sometimes be found when you use an internet
Iss ue date: 2 search engine to look up a number. 2/02/2019 Jim 987786 Smith Instead, simply go to our website directly – wessexwater.co.uk – or use our contact numbers on page 30.
Be a pollution spotter Sign up to Priority Services If you, or someone you know, needs extra support due to age, ill health, a disability, mental illness or something Call us immediately on 0345 600 4 600 if you spot signs of pollution else, it’s worth signing up to Priority Services. As a member, you can set up a password for when we visit, get help reading your meter, ensure you always have easy access to water, and choose how you receive your bill and information. Sign up online at wessexwater.co.uk/priorityservices 28 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 29 Your feedback... I felt that I must send a message to you, Thank you for the excellent magazine, I have been reading through our latest to tell you how much I look forward to it makes very interesting reading. I copy of the Wessex Water magazine and receiving my copy of the Wessex Water remember “paper, poo and pee” from it is good to see where our money is Magazine. It is always so professionally a past magazine and thought I’d being spent. There are also some good put together, and full of interesting expand on it: informative articles which are also quite stories and helpful practical tips on Paper, pee and poo interesting. However, the thing that I subjects such as affordable bills, looking Poo and paper, pee noticed is that your magazine mentions after water pipes in winter and facts This duty is for you various engineering projects that employ regarding the subject of limescale. As it is for me 'No dig, pipe bursting and open cut' M Tomkies, by email So just stick to these rules techniques. As a retired engineer, I would Abide by the routine find it very interesting to see how this is Thank you all so much for the most All of which should help all carried out. I wonder if maybe one or useful and informative magazine. Thank To keep our sewers clean. two articles in future editions of your you for its cheerful appearance which is magazine could help to inform people J Legg, Wiltshire much appreciated in these times. Just a like myself about all the clever small point, I find some of the coloured The hints on how to remove limescale engineering techniques that are pages hard to read. Yvonne, By letter employed, which are invisible to the have revolutionised my life. I spent general public. Editor: We always strive to ensure the years on endless products to do the job P Zimmermann, by email magazine is accessible for all, so will and your suggestion of lime juice and take on board your feedback about baking soda work so well. We live in a Editor: You’re in luck! In this issue we colour consideration. high chalk limescale area and this has feature some of the no-dig techniques left me with shining taps etc. Thank you. we use. See page 24. Margaret, by email
Correction In the last edition of our magazine we included an item about the Royal Crescent in Bath. We have been asked to point out that the lawn directly in front of the Royal Crescent is private. The green area we refer to that can be walked through to admire the crescent is Royal Victoria Park.
Only contact Wessex Water using these telephone numbers. Unofficial numbers you find Contact us online may incur a premium rate charge. Billing enquiries Water supply or sewerage enquiries • Payment arrangements • Metering • Moving house • Loss of supply • Leak • Water quality problem • Problems paying • High water use • Priority Services • Sewage flooding • Blocked sewer
0345 600 3 600 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; 0345 600 4 600 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, Saturday, 8am to 2pm) emergencies only at other times)
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Wessex Water supplies water and sewerage services to an area of the south west of England, covering 10,000 square kilometres including Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, most of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire. Within our region Bristol Water supplies water to the city of Bristol and surrounding areas including some parts of Somerset. Bournemouth Water supplies water to Bournemouth and to just south of Salisbury.
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30 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 31 Chance to win a £100 Gardening Gift Voucher!
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Subscribe for FREE before 31 May 2021 for a chance to win one of five £100 National Garden Gift Vouchers wessexwater.co.uk/signup Check out pages 26 and 27 of this magazine for advice on drought tolerant and water efficient plants that we recommend. National Garden Gift Vouchers can be used in more than 1,400 participating garden retailers across the UK.
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