Questions are being asked about the future of a water reservoir in Shanklin after a serious leak was identified earlier this year, with Islanders told works were related to ‘cleaning’ and an ‘influx of visitors’.
It was in mid-April that fresh water tankers were seen arriving on Church Road to top up the network due to a supposed ‘influx of Easter holidaymakers’. It was also claimed that the tankers were being used due to ‘cleaning’ of the reservoir, something that wasn’t initially disclosed.
On 4th May, Island Echo reported that an ‘issue’ had been identified within the reservoir and that remedial work would continue until the end of the month to resolve the situation. At this point, the tankers would no longer be needed.
Now, almost 4 months later, it has been revealed that a serious leak within the Victorian reservoir was identified by remotely operated vehicles and that the entire reservoir still remains out of action. Not quite just cleaning…
Southern Water bosses have been left scratching their heads as to what to do next with no timeframe given as to when – or if – the reservoir will return to service. It’s thought that the reservoir is due to be decommissioned altogether in 2025, to be replaced by a new one in the Wroxall area. It seems that maybe the current situation has simply come about too soon.
It’s said that although the leak has now been repaired, further work needs to be carried out to bring the asset back into use. It is unknown what other works needs to be completed, but it is known that an R&V process – understood to mean ‘Risk and Value’ – is underway to decide on the next steps.
The utility company has been asked whether alternative options are being explored and whether or not a complete rebuild of the 1895-built reservoir is required, but no response has been given. It has, however, been said that modelling of the area has now been undertaken which enables Southern Water to keep customers affected at peak draw times in supply.
It is unclear whether the re-routed water is coming from the nearby Cooks Castle Water Supply Reservoir on the outskirts of Wroxall, which is due to be permanently removed from the supply by 2028 due to the risk it poses to human health as a result of microbiological contamination due to ingress. Southern Water was fined £65,000 in 2018 for an incident involving the Cooks Castle WSR.
Investigations reveal that Shanklin and Cooks Castle reservoirs, alongside reservoirs at Shalcombe, Rill and Brook, are going to be replaced by 1 single reservoir at Wroxall that centralises water storage. But this is years away yet.
Despite previous assurances that the tankers would no longer be needed in Shanklin by the end of May, the huge vehicles are still periodically being used. The most recent visit was due to ‘multiple bursts in the area’, which reduced the volume of available water for Shanklin residents.
Some customers along Church Road were left entirely without water and had to have Arlington Tank Installations put in. This suggests that the supply is only just about covering the usage of the area.
A number of trees around the reservoir – which is understood to pull water from a spring intercepted within Greatwood Copse – have been cut down in recent months, for reasons unknown.
Questions have been asked about the purpose of the reservoir; if it has been there since Victorian times, then surely the town of Shanklin still needs the facility? If not, what are the alternative options? If the leak is no longer an issue, what is the problem?
Island Echo has sought clarification from Southern Water but no response has been given to questions asked on 11th August – almost 3 weeks ago.
A serious leak and some silly potatoes ahahshahs
To be fair, Southern Water must sort the shareholders out before spending money on their infrastructure, this will take a few years to sort out to enable them to extract as much money as possible before Southern Water is sold to another asset stripping company .
Some friends who live in Shanklin off Victoria Avenue say that recently their tap water has a strong bleach chlorine smell and taste.
Perhaps that is connected with the fault.
Seems most unhealthy
Southern Water need to be brought to action on these serious issues of lying and deceit to customers. Ofwat is a lame duck not fit for purpose either, fines are useless as they just convey that to customers, again, losing out. SW a private company creaming off of the general populous for wealth gained for other countries. Water companies need to be in the hands of the public, the UK is one of the only places in the WORLD where water supply is privatised and used for profit! Just let that sink in… Profits over people.