Sewer repairs underway near Ruscombe Brook - at last!!

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Severn Trent has finally started works to repair and strengthen a stretch of sewer near Ruscombe Brook to reduce the risk of sewage flooding into the watercourse. Over the years the sewer which runs near to the brook has become infested with tree roots - cracking the pipework and allowing sewage to escape from the system. In 2005/6 there were so many very serious incidents of raw sewage getting into the brook and local fields that it was one of the key factors that led to the formation of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG).

Over the years RBAG has tackled many issues relating to the brook from the flooding at Puckshole, getting a private sewer adopted to improving the biodiversity. We have worked with local schools, organised clean-ups, walked the brook to identify issues, worked with Masters degree students on projects re the brook, printed information leaflets, delivered fat traps, organised four large seminars at Ebley Mill which included Professor Hugh Barr on sewage and many other experts on improving watercourses. RBAG was also instrumental in setting up the Stroud Valleys Water Forum that meets bi-monthly with other action groups to look at wider catchment issues re flooding like the Slad Valley and Brigend that faces regular flooding of homes.

One of our key areas of work has been to engage with Severn Trent water and we have met with them fairly regularly over the years. At first they considered there was not a problem but when sewage incidents continued to occur they undertook lengthy investigations to identify the problems. One of the key ones is that fine roots seek out small cracks in the sewer and push their way into the network where they can grow into a major problem. For the last years Severn Trent has been cutting the roots to stop a reoccurence of the sewage incidents. This was clearly only a temporary solution so we have continued to push for a longer term solution.

RBAG were delighted when last year Severn Trent finally came up with a proposal for replacing some sewers. However since then they have had a change of staff and remodelled the network to show that relining would work. This is clearly the most efficient and least intrusive way of resolving the problem ie remotely cut back the roots in the pipework are remotely cut back then a new lining is added in the sewer - sealing the cracks and preventing roots from pushing their way into the network. The lining is specially strengthened to prevent further root intrusion for the next 100 years. RBAG have some concerns that this might be the cheeper option rather than the best option, but we will have to monitor the situation.

Mark Broomfield, programme engineer for Severn Trent, commented to the local press: "We know that Ruscombe Brook and the wildlife that depends on it is important to the community. Our aim is to ensure water quality in the brook remains high, while causing minimum disruption to residents. Even though there will be no road closures and customers will be able to continue to use the system as normal while work is going on, residents will notice more vehicles in the area. "If anyone has questions or concerns about the work that needs to be done they can contact Severn Trent on 0800 783 4444."

I was also quoted as a spokesperson for the Ruscombe Brook Action Group, saying: "We are delighted that sections of the sewer  are at last being relined. We welcome these moves by Severn Trent and their willingness to find solutions to the problems faced here. We look forward to further work in the future to continue to improve the outdated sewage system and at present we are also working on ways to further improve the biodiversity of the brook."

I was generous in my quote with Severn Trent as at times it has been quite a battle to get things done. Local landowner Julia Currie has been particularly good at negotiating with Severn Trent - she has had numerous additional discussions and meetings regarding the proposals. Work is expected to continue on site until mid October.

Huge thanks to all in RBAG who have made this possible. If anyone locally is interested in getting involved please do contact us.

A toilet without water

The Gates Foundation has just announced a $42 million project over several years to develop a toilet that doesn't need water, mains power or sewerage and that will cost next to nothing. Joseph Jenkins, a long-time proponent of ‘humanure’ - composting of human waste until safe enough for vegetable gardening - says 'the Gates Foundation and most in the international sanitation community are stuck in the old paradigm, which is the belief that our excrement is waste and needs to be disposed of in one way or another.  But at least the search is on...See here.

Sewer relining to start at last!!

The SNJ will report tomorrow news re the relining of our sewer - I've copied it below. I was generous in my quote with Severn Trent as at times it has been quite a battle to get things done - and as noted on this blog before, we, in the Ruscombe Brook Action Group, are not wholly convinced that relining is the answer. Indeed at one point in earlier meetings with STW they had said the sewer capacity was insufficient and it needed changing. Apparently remodelling shows relining will be sufficient - let's hope so - and as I said in the quote STW have on the whole tried to work with us.

Sewer repairs underway near Ruscombe Brook

SEVERN Trent has this week started works to repair and strengthen a stretch of sewer near Ruscombe Brook to reduce the risk of sewage flooding into the watercourse. Over the years the sewer which runs near to the brook has become infested with tree roots - cracking the pipework and allowing sewage to escape from the system.

Fine roots seek out small cracks in the sewer and push their way into the network where they can grow into a major problem. The most efficient and least intrusive way of resolving the problem is to remotely cut back the roots in the pipework then add a new lining in the sewer - sealing the cracks and preventing roots from pushing their way into the network.

The lining is specially strengthened to prevent further root intrusion for the next 100 years. Work is expected to continue on site until mid October.

Mark Broomfield, programme engineer for Severn Trent, said: "We know that Ruscombe Brook and the wildlife that depends on it is important to the community. Our aim is to ensure water quality in the brook remains high, while causing minimum disruption to residents. Even though there will be no road closures and customers will be able to continue to use the system as normal while work is going on, residents will notice more vehicles in the area. "If anyone has questions or concerns about the work that needs to be done they can contact Severn Trent on 0800 783 4444."

Philip Booth, a spokesman for the Ruscombe Brook Action Group, that was formed over five years ago in response to incidents of sewage seeping into the brook, added: "We are delighted that sections of the sewer are at last being relined. We welcome these moves by Severn Trent and their willingness to find solutions to the problems faced here. We look forward to further work in the future to continue to improve the outdated sewage system and at present we are also working on ways to further improve the biodiversity of the brook."

Sewer lining set for July/August

Randwick Parish 1842 with brook marked

Major sewer relining by Severn Trent water will take place along the brook incl the fields above Puckshole for about 4 weeks in July/August. We have been assured that the lining lasts for 100 year! See previous discussion on sewer lining here. Dates for the lower sections have not been confirmed yet.

Ruscombe brook: walk highlights action areas

Just over a month ago the Ruscombe Brook Action Group walked the top half of the brook. We gained permission from the relevant landowners as we do each year to check out problems, improvements etc. It was a great evening where I learnt lots.


Last year we walked with FWAG - that's the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and it is the UK's leading independent provider of environmental advice to farmers - see that walk here. This time we had a new group member who works with water and conservation - he was able to add to the advice and info we had gained last year.

Photos from walk in May of the top half of the brook.


Last night we met again to discuss what we found on the walk and our next steps. We have drawn up a list of 4 target issues to consider further. It is good to have some renewed enthusiasm and focus for the group as we have drifted a bit over the last 6 months.

Also good news is that the relining of sewers is imminent. Severn Trent have contacted several local landowners and will soon be giving dates to start. It has only taken us since 2006 to get this to happen!!

Having said that the yearly root cutting of roots that have grown into sewers has led to almost no raw sewage incidents - what a difference from 2005/6 when there were some 20 plus incidents.


You can read more about our project at:
http://www.rbag.org.uk/

Or for even more read over 130 entries on Philip Booth's blog re Ruscombe Brook here.

New waterways charity

So the new Trustees have been appointed for the new waterways charity - see Defra here. So what to think about it? British Waterways is to go. The briefing below is by Chris Borg at the National Association of Local Councils and is a useful introduction if not familiar with the issues. There are huge liabilities and huge costs....

Here is one RBAG member comment: "On the one hand it’s a similar argument to the forests, but entrusting the property as an endowment is significant and setting management of the waterways free of state control could open up new possibilities. I see the work of charities like the National Trust being comparable. They are for the people without the trappings of government. I know some in the charity sector are worried about the increased competition for charitable donations if this new body comes into being – that is a concern but shows also that this has potential to be a strong proposition for philanthropists and grant giving trusts. After a very brief read through I’m broadly in favour."

Another RBAG comment: "I have real concerns about long term funding.....will this mean the new body will be forced to sell off large parts in order to keep running? I believe the state has an important role to play not least financially - the EA is already not powerful enough."

See The Waterways Project response to the consultation here. Vote here for a name for the new charity. Current polling shows:

• National Waterways Trust (39%)
• British Waterways (37%)
• British Waterways Trust (33%)
• Waterways Trust (26%)
• Waterways of Britain (20%)

Briefing - click read more

Fish spotted!

I have just been copied into correspondence further down the brook - not as far as Hamwell Leaze - well exciting news is that for the first time in a while there are fish  - at least five male sticklebacks, each with its own territory have been spotted.

See photos - as the email says: "it seems to mark a milestone in the improved quality of the brook". Indeed - our recent walk also showed improvements but still lots that can be done to further improve.