Dear Members
As you will be aware for many years Langstone Harbour, and the Kench respectively, has been blighted by the release of sewage from Budds Farm in Havant and the other sewage works in Eastney at the most inopportune of times. This has created a long list of illness over the years suffered by harbour users, sailers, surfers and children hoping to enjoy the seaside.
Surfers against sewage was born in the 70’s and some semblance of monitoring and accountability was created. However more action is needed to protect us and the wildlife in the harbour.
A large number of our members, especially those with children, have discussed for many years if there could be a way of trying to monitor the situation and keep a watch out for sewage overflow to help protect the users of the Kench from serious illness.
Logistically this has always proven difficult to provide but Mark Pullen has been invited to join a committee set up by Langstone Harbour Board with an aim to monitor and help improve the harbour for all users. In March a letter was sent to George Eustace (MP)
Langstone Harbour Board Letter (19th March 2021)
Water Reports (HBC)
Langstone water testing Report Feb version 7 (AR)
Links
What’s lurking beneath the surface of your local river? 💩 (mailchi.mp)
Thanks to Angus Prentice
Beachbuoy (southernwater.co.uk)
From Spring News letter
Clean Harbour Project
CHP Newsletter August 2022 final
CHP Press Release 9th Dec 2022
Email from LHB on Southern Water on Waste Water Transfer and Recycling . You might like to contact Southern Water directly with any views.
From: Megan Roberts <Megan.Roberts@langstoneharbour.org.uk>
Sent: 28 July 2022 13:18
To:
Dear Members of the Advisory Committee,
As I’m sure many of you are aware, Southern Water are currently consulting on their proposed Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project. The project will enable Southern Water to abstract less water from sensitive chalk streams, such as the River Test and River Itchen, with them aim of maintaining essential water supplies. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has directed that the project is of national significance, which must be consented by way of a Development Consent Order, under the regime set out in the Planning Act 2008.
The project will involve the following:
- New pipelines from the existing Budds Farm Wastewater Treatment Works to a new water recycling plans to supply treated wastewater for recycling;
- A new Water Recycling Plant and ‘High Lift Pumping Station’ south of Havant that would produce purified recycled water;
- New pipelines from the new water recycling plant to Havant Thicket Reservoir, to allow the recycled water to be stored there; and
- New pipelines to take water from Havant Thicket Reservoir to the existing water supply works at Otterbourne, where it will be treated to strict regulatory standards before it is put into the existing water supply system.
In essence, treated wastewater from Budds Farm Sewage Treatment Works will be pumped underneath the Hermitage Stream to a new Water Recycling Plant to be built at Broadmarsh in Havant. After undergoing additional treatment processes, including reverse osmosis, the recycled water will be pumped 3.5km into the Havant Thicket Reservoir to mix with the existing spring waters there. From there, the water will:
- Be pumped to Farlington Water Treatment Works and on for distribution to Portsmouth Water customers;
- Be pumped to Otterbourne Water Treatment Works and on for distribution to Southern Water customers; and
- Flow to the Riders Lane Stream, on to the Hermitage Stream and discharge into Langstone Harbour.
From the Harbour Board’s perspective, the main concerns we’re likely to have surround the site of the proposed Water Recycling Plant (referred to as Site 72, also known as Brockhampton West), and the effect that recycled water will have on water quality in the Harbour. Site 72 is a former landfill site near Southmoor Nature Reserve, Farlington Marshes, and the RSPB Islands in the North of Langstone Harbour. The site was sold for development by Havant Borough Council in Jan. 2021 and is allocated for employment purposes in HBC’s Local Plan. Given the environmental sensitivities of Langstone Harbour, it is imperative that the site is developed safely without posing a risk of gas and leachate migration and contamination of the watercourse.
The project detail can be found here, with the consultation brochure accessible here. The brochure thoroughly details the project background, site selection and pipeline corridors and all other information you should need. Given the scale and potential impacts the project could have on our Harbour, I am keen to hear your thoughts and opinions about the project, including any alternative suggestions and/or mitigation measures you feel appropriate. Your responses will be compiled and will form part of the Harbour Board’s formal consultee comment on the project. May I ask that any comments are returned to me by August 10th, so a response can be formalised before the consultation closes on August 16th.
If anyone has any questions or wishes to know more about the proposal, don’t hesitate to contact me. Have a lovely rest of the week.
Best wishes,
Meg Roberts
Environment Officer
Our Committee Secretary (Mark Pullen) has joined a joint committee with Langstone Harbour Board with an intent to help improve the harbour waters
Dear member or friend,
You may recall that in December I told you about the joint effort to understand our water quality.
Funding is now around £22,000 of the £25,000 targeted and training for water samplers starts early next month. Some HHS volunteers will be taking samples from our foreshore.
A number of the sailing clubs who are part of this project are asking their members if they would like to contribute voluntarily to this project as well as the funding which the club has already agreed. We intend to do the same so when your annual bill arrives from Keilah it will contain the invitation to add a contribution to the amount you normally owe the Society. These bills just go to the lead member for each property so if you are not that person but wish to contribute then please give the money to that member and ask them to include it or you could transfer it direct to our bank account which is Hayling Health Society Ltd, sort code 089299, account number 67223930. please include the initials CHP and the property number or houseboat name you are associated with as the reference. Any concerns please contact Keilah on keilah@accounting4charities.co.uk
Kind Regards,
Mark Pullen
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