Interviews with:

·  Lee Dance, Head of Resource and Environmental at South East Water; and

·  A representative from Building Control.

The Chairman welcomed Alan Turner, Principle Regeneration & Projects Officer at Kent County Council and thanked him for coming along at such short notice.

Mr Turner began by giving Members a brief outline of his role.  He explained that he was the technical lead on water issues at KCC and Chair of the Partnership ‘Water Demand Management’ developing water initiatives with consumer groups and Councils with the involvement of the  Environment Agency and Water Companies. Mr Turner told the Committee there had been a particular focus on Ashford as there were acute issues there but these were now reduced. Members questioned the involvement with Ashford relating its growth point status and possible similar issues for Maidstone. The Committee asked how the water supply could continue taking into account the growth estimated of approximately 10,000 homes in Maidstone and the already distressed state of the existing aquifers.  Mr Turner said that he was not sure if there would be a problem. He explained there were a number of supply options and a great deal of potential for improved water efficiency.

Mr Turner referred to the recent Water Enquiry and the 5 companies that supply Kent.  Part of the problem he suggested was that Kent was constrained by the fragmented geography of water companies areas and limited trading and sharing of water resources so there was greater potential for this.  Members asked if there was a wider water infrastructure and how Maidstone would fit into this. The Officer explained that there was not a national water grid and it was too energy intensive to move water around long distances. Mr Turner explained that the water industry regulator OFWAT was considering splitting water companies into two areas of operation; retail and strategic and that in time this may form two types of business that would break down the vertical monopoly.

Members raised concerns over regeneration projects and developers and discussed with Mr Turner the use of underground reservoirs, storm drains and the possibility of recycling this water on sites. Mr Turner explained that there were new requirements for development to deal with surface water on site. He explained that if there was capacity to do so water companies may allow a surface water connection to a combined sewer however, this would no longer be the normal practice. In future the Flood and Water Management Act would charge developments with the responsibility of demonstrating that they were using Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and where possible recharge ground water so it did not contribute to downstream flooding.  Mr Turner explained that the details of this were with Department for Rural Affairs (DEFRA) but that KCC would have new responsibilities for sustainable surface water management including responsibility for adopting and owning sustainable drainage features. He explained that KCC were waiting to hear from DEFRA and for national guidance.  The Committee questioned the part planning authorities like Maidstone would take.  Mr Turner explained that the details had not been decided but an officer had been appointed who had been to all the district councils involved. The local knowledge he said would be found at a district level and the authority at a county level.

With the overall plan for Kent and 100,000 new houses and business to be supported by the damaged aquifers the Committee questioned whose responsibility this would be.  The Officer told members that the quality and control of pollution of ground water was the responsibility of the Environment Agency.  Members raised the issue of pollution and damage caused by various industries to the water supply. The control of pollution was cited as the responsibility of the Environment Agency but Mr Turner said the dependence on ground water aquifers was a shared concern and the pollution of groundwater was another pressure on the water supply that was not always considered.  Mr Turner spoke of the horticultural sector who he described as the fastest growing non domestic sector. He explained that they were working with South East Water, the Environment Agency and growers to find more effective irrigation solutions.

Members questioned whether the use of smaller reservoirs was being investigated as a back up solution for emergencies.  Mr Turner explained that with surface water reservoirs there was a geographical problem and was not aware of any locations in Maidstone where smaller reservoirs would make a difference.  Members raised the possible location of Thurnham.  Mr Turner explained that this had been investigated and a consultant had looked into this at the time of the Water Enquiry at the suggestion of Councillor Horne. Mr Turner explained that the site at Thurnham did not provide enough space to be a suitable locations and embankments were needed to be built to a certain height.  Mr Turner confirmed that where smaller reservoirs were in use that they were not the best solution to carry forward stored water from winter for summer and autumn.  Members gave an example of small reservoirs being used as a buffer at the hospitals and also mentioned the use of lakes.

Mr Turner explained that when considering water and the future it should not only be reservoirs that are considered. Attention needed to be given to recycling what we used already, reduce water wastage and protecting existing resources.  Mr Turner explained that there had been some disappointment at the South East Water’s Draft Resource Management Plan as it had not considered indirect effluent reuse via river systems which he felt has potential for maintaining main river water flows and utilising water supplies more effectively. He explained that it was costly to treat the water but that long term benefits might outweigh this; a possible scheme on the River Medway was being investigated by Southern Water.

Members thanked Mr Turner for attending and the Chairman asked if any further questions could be forwarded to him. The Committee resolved that a second meeting would be beneficial to examine the issues surrounding water that were to be included in the Core Strategy.

It was resolved:

a)  That a second meeting should be arranged to include Lee Dance, Development Control and Carolyn McKenzie from KCC.