Michael Gove, MP for Surrey Heath, visited Camberley Sewage Treatment Works again last week with local borough councillors from Watchetts and St Michaels to meet Thames Water and to discuss compensating and making amends with the local community, which has been forced to endure foul odours throughout the summer.
As previously reported, since the end of June, Michael has been in touch with Thames Water, the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council concerning the unpleasant odour that had been emanating from the Sewage Treatment Works in Camberley. The problem was caused by the importation and dewatering of extra sewage sludge, and Michael pressed for action on behalf of his constituents.
Following a virtual meeting with Thames Water, Michael visited the site on 17 August to see the situation first-hand, and Thames Water promised to fully investigate the circumstances that led to the incident. The next day, he requested a further meeting with Thames Water to discuss compensating the community and asked local borough councillors from Watchetts and St Michaels to take part.
The processing of the extra sewage sludge was finally completed at the end of August, and at the start of this month, Thames Water commenced its work to clean the tanks that had been holding the extra sewage sludge, eliminating any residual odours from the dewatering process. On 25 September, Thames Water reported to Michael that it had now finished its clean-up operation and the site has returned to normal business.
Michael is reassured that similar incidents will be prevented from occurring again in future, as Camberley STW’s site permit from the Environment Agency is changing at the end of this month, meaning that sludge imports will be no longer be permitted as part of the site operation. On 4 September, the Environment Agency re-confirmed this to Michael, stating: “When the permit is issued the importation of sludge for dewatering will have to cease as it will no longer be allowed under the Environmental Permitting regulations.”
During the latest meeting on 27 September, Thames Water listened to the points that Michael and local councillors had to make about the need to give back to the community for what it has had to endure these past months. Thames Water acknowledged this and promised to work with Surrey Heath Borough Council in order to identify an appropriate means of doing so.
Michael commented:
“I am thankful again to Thames Water for meeting me and local Councillors today to discuss the impact of the foul odour from Camberley Sewage Treatment Works, together with how amends can be made with the local community for the anguish that has been caused. I know from discussions with the people of Camberley just how significantly the stench has blighted their summer, and it is only right that Thames Water gives back to those whose last few months have been so adversely affected.
I have been assured by Thames Water that potential options for giving back to the local community are currently being considered and, as ever, I will share any news I receive on my website.”
Michael urges any local residents affected by odours from Camberley Sewage Treatment Works to make a report to Thames Water as soon as possible by calling Thames Water’s customer contact centre on 0800 316 9800 or by logging an issue online at www.thameswater.co.uk/help/report-a-problem
