Agenda item

J Doe introduced the report that the committee had requested.
Hertfordshire has an exceptionally high level of water usage with Dacorum having one of the highest rates of litres per head per day. Dacorum is also in one of the driest parts of the country as it has three chalk streams: the Bulbourne, Gade and Ver. The chalk means a lot of water permeates through the rock.
The waste water in Dacorum is served mostly by Maple Lodge Sewerage Works in Rickmansworth. Thames Water has said although it can cope with current demand, it will need significant upgrading by 2020-2025. Officers are well aware of this but we need to establish new ways to fund the upgrade – the Council is still taking section 106 and CIL payments from developers which might help.
J Doe said he has been attending high level meetings to ensure providers are properly aligned with the rate and location of development in the borough.
The County Council is the local flood authority and are statutory consultations on major planning applications. Thames Water’s role is critical and must sharpen up when they are consulted. There were major problems with the Spencer’s Park development. The site had been allocated and Thames Water had no objections when outline planning permission was given. When detailed plans were submitted, they raised objections which delayed the project until a solution was found.
J Doe referred to pages 15-16 and the major ongoing county study. Dacorum is a financial contributor to the study which looks at water supply and drainage up until 2051. The study will help inform boroughs for future developments.

Councillor G Adshead asked about water usage in Dacorum. He said 152 litres per person per day was very high and was this just residential?

J Doe said he understood it to be just residential. The high usage has prompted this study but usage includes dishwashers and washing machines. J Doe said he didn’t know exact reason why it’s high.

Councillor Timmis asked what was being done to limit usage. Where is the information telling people how high water usage is?

J Doe said there are various water reduction devices controls through planning development and there are more requirements in building regulations.

Councillor Timmis said there was a huge personal responsibility and there should be a way of making people aware.

J Doe said it wasn’t necessarily the Council’s role but water companies can control water usage through water rates and meters.

Councillor Birnie said it was good that building control is thinking positively about water usage.

J Doe said it is important that Thames Water is providing us with the right advice. It is important to develop an understanding how the system works within the boroughs. Some form of modelling work needs to be considered to identify issues.

Councillor G Sutton said Thames Water should be made more accountable. The new development in Leverstock Green flooded and Thames Water said it can’t flood because there is no property there despite them connecting the new development to the mains system. They must improve on fixing leaks as they go undetected for a long time and is the probable reason for the high water usage. The MP is very concerned with regard to recent flooding problems in the area.

Councillor S Hearn said we should stop looking to pass blame. The responsibility lies heavily on the Council. Dacorum is one of the most affluent parts of the county. More affluent areas probably use the most water and this could be solved by consumers putting more thought into their water consumption. If you are prepared to build a house with three toilets in it, then you should pay more for your water. Water meters are a good idea because it makes you think and makes you more careful about water usage.

Councillor Hicks said it was important to educate. Thames Water provide facts and figures on their water bills about how much water the household is using and a water meter acts as an incentive to save water.

Councillor G Sutton said the Maylands Business Centre has a system to separate grey from waste water and there should be a way to encourage businesses to reduce water usage.

Councillor G Adshead asked what measures were in place to save water at the Forum.

J Doe said he did not know specifically but the Forum meets the very good standard as there are various sustainability factors in the design.

Councillor Anderson said the water project at county level was a good idea but wondered if it would solve the trilemma between the public perception that housing should not be built without the water supply available; the twin requirements that the housing must be built and the water companies must then get on with providing the water; and the reality that it would be absolutely daft if thousands of houses were built without sufficient water supply.

J Doe said the council had long term plans and understood the general supply situation. The Local Plan review will look at the issue of reduced water and its impact and constraints on future developments.

Outcome

That the Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report.