Affinity Water planning application 3/25/0214/CLPO response

Shown below is a response from Affinity Water to a letter sent by Standon Parish Council concerned that filtrate may be pumped into the Puckeridge Tributary:

Thank you for contacting Affinity Water in relation to the proposed installation of two temporary GAC vessels and backwash tank. The temporary treatment stage is proposed as a response to a recent increase in Volatile Organic Compounds identified in the local aquifer.

We wanted to confirm that all backwash water will be contained in the backwash tank and then transported by tankers away for treatment to a licensed Waste Water Treatment Plant. No contaminated water will be flushed into Puckeridge Tributary.

In the last year we have occasionally discharged raw groundwater in the Puckeridge Tributary in agreement with the EA and with a monitoring plan in place to ensure the discharged water did not include volatile compounds above the environmental quality standard limits.

We strongly support all action to improve water quality within the environment and protect sensitive chalk stream habitats. We work closely with the EA to monitor the quality of water that we abstract for drinking water and share all data and intelligence to assist with their investigations into the source of pollution. Our treatment processes ensure that the water we supply meets all standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). We continue to support our customers to reduce water usage and protect our local streams by leaving more water in the environment. More information can be found on this on our Save Our Streams campaign.