Source - June 2013

june 2013 | thameswater.co.uk

Think cyclist Drivers welcome safety modifications

Industry-leading alliance confirmed

contents

7 8 11 12 19 23

‘Hard water tastes best’ Employee Rec Awards shortlist revealed Bin it vs Can’t Flush This Getting down with Sewer Week

We’re better connected Newt survey

Editor’s column I cycled out to Fobney on a very grey May day to meet Fred Cross and David Sinclair for the cover shot.

They talked me through the modifications made to the company’s fleet to protect cyclists. The main problem is a left turn, but the warning could not have been clearer when I pulled up alongside this 32 tonne fresh water tanker.

A voice, activated by a sensor when the indicator goes on, tells you it is turning.

David said the project had been “his baby” since November and the last vehicle was fitted-out at the end of April.

All the drivers are fully behind the move.

One month in, and Fred – an NST who looks after the monster on the front – said drivers are trained to be aware of everything around them anyway, but this gives them an “extra chance”.

In London, he admitted, “with everything coming at you, the taxis, bikes, cars, buses,” it could save lives. Read the full story on page five.

Stuart stuart.white@thameswater.co.uk 2 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

MYSTERY MOGDEN TRAIN Spot the steam train in the distance of this archive picture from the original construction of Mogden sewage works in October 1934.

The story goes that the train was used during construction to take away rubble and soil. But because it was too difficult to remove the chugger from the site once the work was finished, the team allegedly buried it in the embankment instead.

Visitors to Mogden on June 22 will hear of this story and others, including ghost technicians and cinema screens, during a public open day to celebrate the recent £140 million upgrade.

Stand down and deliver!

Now it’s time to build on the actions discussed during health and safety week

K

arl Simons was delighted with the response to May’s health and safety stand down, but now wants action.

Thames Water’s head of health, safety and wellbeing said it’s “vitally important” every single person working for and on behalf of Thames Water remembers the ‘Zero compromise’ message written on the cards – distributed to around 15,000 people last month.

The cards deliver a clear statement direct from chief executive Martin Baggs, along with the instructions “not to carry out any task likely to cause injury or harm to myself or others”.

Nick Gilbert from Optimise said: “Everyone was really impressed that Martin was quite literally signing up to this, providing everyone with the same clear message to make escalations easier, clearer and more common. The Zero compromise cards were very well received and the

Hi-vis cards at Murphy

concept was excellent.”

Many teams took the opportunity to really think about how they can achieve ‘zero incidents, zero harm, zero compromise’ – Thames Water’s vision – during stand down week, and welcomed the new feeling of empowerment to act when things don’t seem right.

Staff at Murphy are carrying cards in their high-vis jackets to reinforce the message, while Thames Water’s head office will display the Zero compromise message on television screens and the south wastewater team has committed half a day every month to clean up a different site.

John Lock, health and safety advisor on major projects, said: “We’ve had very positive feedback with people getting the health and safety policy statement laminated for noticeboards. I’ve seen one myself already.”

To order more Zero compromise cards email healthandsafetytraining@ thameswater.co.uk

Graham Butler (IBM), Olivier Brett (CVA), Neil Thomas (CVA), Tim Coles, Ian McAulay (MWH), Lawrence Gosden, Graham Keegan (Alliance COO), Jon Bentley (IBM), Joel Hanson, James Hazelton, Steve Spencer. Seated, Bill Hocking (SMB), Martin Baggs, Stuart Siddall, Kevin Craven (SMB)

Alliance

to ‘focus on value’ AMP6 alliance marks a “complete transformation” in the way the company delivers capital investment

BY SIMON EVANS

I

ndustry-leading firms formed an alliance to carry out billions of pounds of essential improvements to Thames Water’s ageing network between 2015 and 2025.

The selected organisations signed contracts last month at the historic Oak Room, Thames Water’s Clerkenwell office at the City of London end of the New River, which this year celebrates its 400th anniversary.

Lawrence Gosden, Thames Water’s asset director, said: “We have a significant amount of work to do upgrading our deteriorating Thames Water’s AMP6 alliance is made up of two ‘design and build’ consortia, a programme manager and a technology and innovation provider. The organisations selected are: Design and Build: Costain Veolia Water Atkins (CVA) and Skanska MWH Balfour Beatty (SMB) Programme Manager: MWH Technology and Innovation Provider: IBM

infrastructure over the next 25 years and beyond, while keeping customers’ bills affordable. If we are to achieve this, a different approach is required.

“That is why we have formed an alliance to deliver our AMP6 programme. This represents a complete transformation in the way we carry out investment.

“WE WILL TAKE A LONG-TERM VIEW, AS WELL AS MAKING SURE WE MEET OUT SHORTER-TERM GOALS” “Our focus will be on delivering value, as opposed to just cost-efficiency. We will take a long-term view, as well as making sure we meet our shorter-term goals.

“By forming this early, two years before the start of the next five-year regulatory period, we stand the best possible chance of delivering the safest, most sustainable and most innovative solutions – those which don’t necessarily involve simply pouring concrete.”

The alliance board will include representatives

from Thames Water and from each member of the alliance.

Tim Coles, head of capital procurement for Thames Water, added: “We have procured an option to offer the longest contract term ever awarded by Thames Water.

“Rather than taking a purely commercial and technical approach, we have focused on behaviour by putting our people and our partners’ people through interviews, site visits and workshops.

“This process has reduced the procurement process from up to 18 months to four and has significantly lowered the cost of bidding for the bidders involved.”

The alliance is set to carry out between £2bn and £3bn of work. Thames Water’s investment programme for the five years from 2015 will be finalised following the 2014 water industry review of prices by the regulator Ofwat. There is potential to extend contacts after this fiveyear period to 2025.

AMP stands for asset management period.

These are five-year periods in between industry price-setting reviews by Ofwat. Since privatisation in 1989 there have been five completed AMPs. We are currently in AMP5, 2010 to 2015.

www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 3

news

Scenes like these were common across the region after record rainfall

Sewer flooding hotspots under review

Range of options being considered to protect customers by making Thames Water’s network more resilient to exceptionally high groundwater

R

water in the ground seeps into the sewers.

Andrew Hagger, Thames Water’s wastewater modelling manager, said: “We’re in the ‘look and list’ phase of our work at the moment. By the end of the summer we will have areaspecific plans. No one area’s problems exactly mirror another’s. Each plan will be bespoke for each locale.

“At the very least, by doing this work we will be in a better position if we have a repeat of the record rain of 2012.”

During the winter of 2012/13 groundwater infiltration was impacting much of the sewerage network in western end of the Thames Water region, in many locations leading to the horrible problem of sewer flooding.

Tanker lorries were deployed, round the clock in some places, to relieve flows in the overloaded sewers and pumping stations.

With groundwater levels now dropping and the worst of the flooding over, Thames Water is now able to fully investigate areas like Misbourne (Bucks), Windrush (Oxon), Pang (West Berks) and Kennet valleys, as well as in parts of Oxford.

Helping with this work by est hard hit The flood bus visited communities in the Kennet area is h Marc in show the wet weather on an 11-day road Aldbourne-based Drainage Improvement Group (DIG).

eal-time telemetry systems are among the solutions being considered to help prevent sewer flooding in chalk valleys following heavy prolonged rainfall.

Having started with a drought following the driest two-year period on record, 2012 ended with widespread flooding after becoming England’s rainiest year since records began.

Groundwater rose above the height of the sewers in some areas to reach its highest levels since 2000/01.

New springs began to flow in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, and Lambourn, West Berkshire, as the vastly swollen Kennet Valley aquifers forced water above ground.

This caused a problem known as ‘groundwater sewer infiltration’ and is when

4 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

Andrew added: “After the 2000/01 groundwater episode, we relined 95km of sewers to guard against future groundwater infiltration.

“This time around we have seen groundwater infiltrating from other parts of the network, including the ‘lateral’ pipes, which connect customers’ properties to the main Thames Water sewers.

“By the end of the summer we will have area-specific infiltration reduction plans” “Working together with local experts like DIG is really useful. Our combined knowledge will, we hope, deliver effective solutions.”

The outcome will be infiltration reduction plans (IRPs) for each affected area and will include input from the Environment Agency.

The aim is to make the Thames Water sewerage network more resilient in the event of exceptionally high groundwater.

What are the options?

Telemetry-linked observation boreholes to monitor groundwater levels, which would give sewer system operators around a month or two’s forewarning of possible problems Overflow storage tanks to hold excess wastewater from overloaded sewers when required Further relining, or resealing, of sewers/drains to prevent groundwater infiltration

Fred Cross and David Sinclair

Warning this vehicle is turning left Lorry modifications designed to protect cyclists sharing London’s busy roads

BY STUART WHITE

L

orries on Thames Water business moving around London are now fitted with cyclesafety equipment, including ‘skirts’, side sensors, reversing cameras and special fresnel mirrors.

The Health and Safety Leadership Team-inspired move is designed to halt the number of cyclists being killed and seriously injured in the capital.

Lorries make up just five per cent of traffic but account for around half of all cyclist deaths, with many riders crushed on the inside as trucks turn left.

Health and safety manager Clare Hamment said the fleet of vehicles used by Thames Water and its main contractors are now kitted out with the necessary equipment to help prevent collisions, and the next stage is further educating those behind the wheel.

“We’ve made the first steps, made the safety adjustments which will greatly reduce the risk of future incidents, and we now need to continue to concentrate on driver training and awareness,” she said.

Fleet manager Michelle Nasr added: “We’re always reviewing vehicle safety features and were working on cycle awareness modifications to our fleet before the HSLT recommendation.

“This included the new equipment and cycle awareness training for drivers and supervisors. It doesn’t stop here though, and a DVD further highlighting the risks is being shown at team meetings.”

“LORRIES ARE KILLING CYCLISTS IN CITIES. WE CANNOT CONTINUE DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM” The improvements, including eye-level signs warning riders not to go up the left side, are in line with efforts made by Transport for London and the Government, who recently instructed police to conduct “stop and search” patrols on rogue lorries.

Stephen Hammond, the Government’s road safety minister, said: “HGVs are killing cyclists in cities. We cannot continue doing nothing about this problem.”

The London Cycling Campaign welcomed the actions but said driver education was key to further reducing the number of lorries involved in incidents with cyclists.

An LCC spokesman said: “We have been campaigning for all lorry drivers to receive

cyclist awareness training. This is becoming more common but more still needs to be done.

“People should recognise that if you drive a 32 tonne truck in a big city you need extra knowledge of the hazards involved.”

Last year a total of 14 cyclists died in accidents in London while two have been killed this year, including a woman in her mid-30s who was knocked off her bike by a tipper truck turning left onto Victoria Street in April.

Thinking cyclist These are the modifications to lorries over seven tonnes (some have also been made to vehicles below) and all articulated vehicles operating within the M25: Fresnel lens: provides a downwards view around the passenger door area Side guards: fitted between axles to prevent cyclists being dragged under the vehicle Rear undertaking warning signs Side detection sensors: alerts the driver of the presence of a cyclist Reversing camera: mounted in the cab Turning left alarm: sounds when left turn indicator is applied Unicorn mirror: provides driver with a view of the road and people directly in front of the vehicle Blind spot mirrors: already required by law www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 5

Tunnel of love The Beckton pumping station shaft is captured here from 86.5 metres below the surface by the Lee Tunnel team’s keen photographer Andras Nemeth from MVB.

Biggest changes since Queen’s Speech confirms the Government will go ahead with plans for a Water Bill

BY CHRIS SHIPWAY

T

he Water Bill is set to introduce the biggest changes in the industry since privatisation.

It will allow all business, charity and public-sector customers to switch their retail supplier, and allow companies to enter a range of existing and new water and wastewater markets.

The focus of the Bill will be to increase competition, but there are also plans to change the way companies plan and manage water resources, with the Government keen to make sure companies do more to tackle the risk of shortages caused by drought.

Further changes include proposals designed to increase the use of sustainable drainage, and to extend the use of environmental permitting to cover abstractions.

Market development manager Julian Tranter has been looking closely at how the planned changes in the law could affect the company.

He said: “We support the option for businesses to choose their retail supplier.

Although it means other firms can compete for custom in our area, there’s an opportunity

6 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

for Thames to do the same elsewhere.”

But Julian told The Source plans for ‘upstream’ competition are much more complicated, and controversial.

“Upstream competition would allow new companies to compete against existing firms, like Thames, to provide water resources and services like water and wastewater treatment,” he said.

“This could change the current structure of the industry, in which one company is responsible for everything, from source to tap.

“There are different views about the impact it would have. Those in favour of upstream competition argue that it will force existing firms to respond more effectively to climate change and population growth, and mean that

customers get a better value service.

“But others believe upstream competition risks making the industry less attractive to the investors it relies on to finance new infrastructure, which in turn could increase prices for customers.

“We’re in dialogue with Ofwat and Government about the changes, and developing potential amendments to the Bill that could help address these concerns.

“Whatever you think of the Bill, if it is passed by Parliament it will radically change the way the industry works.”

Contact Julian or public affairs manager Chris Shipway for more information.

The Queen’s Speech is an annual event marking the opening of a new session of Parliament, and setting out the Government’s plans for new laws over the following year. It was delivered to MPs and Peers on May 8.

taste

‘Hard water is best’ Following the BBC’s investigation into tap water, and how its taste varies throughout the country, Source spoke to Thames Water’s microbiology manager and chief taster STEPHEN BULLOCK

How many tasters does Thames Water have?

Our laboratory taste and odour testing is done daily by three people, who are selected from a panel of around 20 analysts. They all work at our laboratories in Spencer House, Reading.

How does it work?

Samples are collected by our accredited sampling teams from across the region and then brought to the laboratory by our fleet of seven couriers. Samples are taken in specific glassware to prevent the water from taking on any foreign tastes or odours. The analysis is conducted under very controlled conditions, with the samples being tested in an odour free laboratory using specific apparatus – such as glass sample bottles and wine tasting glasses. Samples are then raised to a specific temperature (25°C) to optimise the taste and odours that can be detected.

“Many people think bottled water is cleaner and healthier than tap water, but this is not true” How many tests do we do?

Approximately 7,000 taste/odour tests are conducted each year using all the latest techniques and equipment. That’s around 150 each week or 30 every day. We also investigate customer complaints of unusual tastes and odours. Most commonly, these issues are associated with the internal plumbing at a property and not our water.

What gives Thames Water water its unique taste?

The hardness of the water in our region is a result of the underlying geology, which is principally composed of chalk. As water comes into contact with the chalk, it becomes enriched with compounds like calcium carbonate, lending the water its characteristic taste. Many people consider the taste of hard water to be superior to soft found in other regions, like Scotland and Cornwall. Personally, having grown up in a hard water area,

Thames Water’s laboratory uses over 40 different bottle types for testing

I prefer the taste of hard water and I do notice the difference.

So why do some of samples taste of lemon?

To help ensure consistency, samples spiked with a known flavour are hidden in each run of tests and the analysts need to find them. They will not know which one it is and will need to correctly identify the flavour and odour – this could be something like strawberry, vanilla or lemon.

And finally, why do people spend so much more on bottled water when tap is so tasty?

I’ve no idea! Much of it is associated with the image of bottled water – many people think it is cleaner and healthier than tap water, but this is not the case. There’s plenty we can do as an industry to inform the public as

to the environmental and financial benefits of sticking to tap water.

Rules of tasting Panellists must not have eaten, had a drink or smoked within an hour of taste testing. They are also not allowed to wear aftershave/perfume or be suffering from a cold or allergy which would affect their sense of smell.

All analysts must pass an assessment to make sure they have the appropriate sensitivity to tastes and odours.

Stephen Bullock, 39, from Reading, now manages the microbiology team he started in 17 years ago www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 7

awards

Humphrey the camel is Martin Brockington, Geoff Clark and Ant Tyler

Team Thames had a successful London 2012 Olympics

Who’s up for an award?

Shortlist for 2013 Employee Recognition Awards announced

T

he Executive team said shortlisting for this year’s Employee Recognition Awards was “one of the toughest yet”.

Chief executive Martin Baggs and the Thames Water directors finally agreed on the names to put forward following heated discussions in Paddington on May 22.

Winners from the list opposite are now set to be announced at the fifth annual awards ceremony on Thursday, July 4 at Shehnai in Reading.

HR director Janet Burr told the Source: “There were some really heartfelt nominations this year. It is important that we recognise the front line and back office staff who go above and beyond, every day, to improve things for our customers.”

All the winners will be revealed in July’s Source following the ceremony

THE SHORTLIST Supportive team Didcot Operations team Network optimisation team (Cleanwater) Olympics and Crossrail modelling team

Committed team Day and shift team – Thames Gateway Waste Control Centre – Kemble Court Document Handling Centre

Supportive Individual Dave Cash Craig Pezet Brian Phelps

Committed individual Bianca Bond Kyle Crawford Anita MacLennan Tim Wakley

Challenging team WAMI – Patch 2 upgrade WAMI – Training Challenging individual Andrew Farrow Roy Grubb Geoff Paul

Reliable team Banbury area wastewater operations North east London Ops Management team Tankering and Pollution Desk

Reliable individual Phil Bailey Suzanne Lauri Mariana Simpson Purposeful team Bath Road Networks Beddington fire team Service reservoir engineers Purposeful individual Faye England John Saunders Chris Williams

Delivering our customer experience Colin Bryant Paul Norman Dan Rubio Volunteer Paul Aust Amanda Gould Humphrey the camel Health and safety Ebby Abdul Tracey Newton

Dan Rubio

Leak detectives land sustainability trophy Groundbreaking customer side leakage and wastage pilot project wins Guardian award

T

eccura found and resolved over one million litres of wastage and leakage at just 20 commercial properties during a pilot scheme for Thames Water.

The utility leak ‘detectives’ claimed, on average, that the leaks had persisted for 5.45 years and saved each customer £32,850 per year.

Their project, commissioned at the height of last year’s drought by Andrew Oakes in asset strategy, was rewarded with victory in the water category at the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards on May 16.

Teccura’s Ben Beattie said: “At one school 8 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

the leak had been ongoing for 18 years.

That’s a lot of wasted, treated, potable water.

In fact, enough to fill 161 Olympic swimming pools every year. Or to supply 2,957 homes every day.

“The fact the leakage had existed for so long demonstrates it was hard to find. It was hidden by genuine water usage at the commercial properties.”

Teccura claim their discoveries are just the tip of the iceberg. They say that 300 million litres of water gets wasted at 1.4 million commercial properties in the UK, every single day.

“Finding the few thousand with customer

The Teccura team collect their Guardian award last month

side leakage is harder than finding a seat on the tube,” Ben added. “Using complex consumption analysis, we can cost-effectively track down the few sites with problems and can make actual, recordable water savings.”

In winning the award, the Guardian judges felt that Teccura demonstrated a “fantastic example of how to achieve a significant impact with a good idea”. By reversing its business model and thinking creatively, Teccura has “commercialised sustainability, rather than making sustainability a part of what they do”, the judges added.

Visit www.teccura.com for more information.

BOREHOLE with media manager Simon Evans

Each month BH drills down on the news and issues affecting Britain’s biggest water firm

Keeping the nation safe

O

– with Wasserwerfers

ur premium-grade product may soon be used to quell street-rioting thugs if Scotland Yard has its way.

Home Secretary Theresa May is considering making water cannons, like those fired by this bad boy in Azerbaijan, available to police in

England and Wales.

London’s Met force wants two £1.3m, German-made ‘Wasserwerfers’, each holding 9,000 litres.

May said: “They’re putting a case to us about water cannons and I will look at that case.”

We’re a big deal

H

ere at the biggest British water firm in the world things sometimes get busy.

On May 10 we were in the crosshairs of four national news stories.

The main one was on us reusing sewage to boost water supplies after 2025 – the result of some good digging by our man at the Evening Standard. Queue a barrage of media briefings and broadcast interviews.

Meanwhile our press release urging folks to not put sewer-clogging fat and wipes down drains made the Daily Express and Daily Star.

Deputy chief flusher Danny Brackley was poised to go on BBC Radio 4’s influential Today programme to describe the horror of fatbergs.

Then poor Danny got bumped for some breaking news – a sporting tragedy and something about expanding an airport.

Olympic yachtsman Andrew Simpson died while training in San Fransisco Bay for the America’s Cup, all media reported.

Immediately TV crews from Sky News and

BBC rung the Thames Water press office.

“He learnt to sail at Queen Mother reservoir, Datchet. Can we get access?” a Sky hack screeched into a mobile phone at the site’s main gates.

The BBC didn’t stop there. Another crew was deployed to Wraysbury reservoir. “Can we come in? Some MPs reckon a third Heathrow runway can be built provided you guys move this reservoir…”

Sure enough, a cross-party Commons transport select committee had aired their idea on the Today programme – in the slot our Danny should have had.

BH can assure you all press office decisions are made in an entirely dispassionate manner. So he has no doubt whatsoever that turning down this Beeb request had nothing whatsoever to do with the deputy chief sewer flusher (Rob Smith is chief) being binned by Today.

Twitter – HQ tunnel protest @ReadingChronicl e: Protestors outside Thames Wa ter campaigning again st blacklisting We told protestors we have strong links with th e unions and haven’t started tendering for the Thames Tideway Tunnel yet.

Wiping the slate clean The boss of the biggest British water firm in the solar system met with the head of Kimberly-Clark to discuss ways to work together to stop wet wipes blocking sewers.

Ever since seeing a TV ad for ‘flushable’ Andrex Washlets, Martin ‘Bin it – don’t block it’ Baggs had been keen to talk with his man at KC’s European headquarters in Reigate, Surrey.

And when the time came big MB didn’t hold back. “You can flush a brick down the loo if you really want – but that doesn’t mean you should,” he explained.

Then he got BH to do his special experiment: two TW carafes half full of water; a piece of loo roll in one, an Andrex Washlet in the other. Shake.

One item breaks down – and it ain’t the washlet.

The team at KC listened intently and both sides pledged to work together on a solution to benefit both sides. Positive stuff. Watch this space.

Leaf it out BH tends to rage and rant about things.

Once in a while, though, he just likes to feel, and spread, the love. That’s why he’s sharing this shot of two mates walking home from school. As you can see, the raw product is proving a problem. But the bigger fella is helping out. Sweet.

Shelter from the storm

www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 9

news The lane rental scheme is helping to keep London’s roads moving

Mayor hails lane rental scheme impact Severe disruption from roadworks in London’s traffic hotspots cut by more than a third in its first year

BY STUART WHITE

B

oris Johnson says London’s lane rental scheme has successfully reduced disruption and sparked a new wave of innovative solutions to improve streetworks in the capital.

The scheme, which came into effect on June 11 last year on the busiest parts of London’s road network, is designed to encourage utility companies to avoid working at peak traffic times.

Following its introduction, more than 92 per cent of utility company roadworks at the traffic hotspots are now taking place outside of peak hours, compared to around 30 per cent before the scheme came into effect.

All main utility companies, including Thames Water, have also now signed up to the use of innovative techniques and materials, considerably reducing the amount of time required to reopen roads and helping to save approximately 2,700 days of disruption across London.

Speaking at the first Roadworks Innovation Summit at City Hall, Mayor of London Boris

Johnson said: “Lane rental is all about using the limited road space within our streets as effectively as possible and, as we predicted, it is proving successful.

“Disruption is down, the vast majority of works are now done outside of peak hours and an impressive range of new-fangled techniques are being used to minimise the impact on London’s road users.

“But more can be done; and that is why we’ve brought together the capital’s boroughs and utility companies to consider how we

“Disruption is down, and an impressive range of newfangled techniques are being used to minimise the impact on London’s road users” can use this technology to bring 21st century knowledge to the maintenance of a road system that dates back to the Romans.”

Thames Water streetworks liaison manager Paresh Kavia added: “We’re delighted the scheme has been deemed a success by the Mayor. We were committed from the start to making it work and glad the new innovative techniques we’re using are making a big difference to keeping traffic in London moving.

That was our aim, along with keeping the water flowing in our network.

“It’s been a great effort. Everyone has upped their game, especially when it

Kent follows suit

The Kent lane rental scheme – which will affect the county’s busiest roads and areas – came into effect on May 28. Like London, it provides companies like Thames Water who are digging up roads with a financial incentive to make sure their work is carried out in a less disruptive way.

10 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

Mayor Boris Johnson

comes to planning, and are having to work hard outside of normal hours to keep the costs to the business lower. It’s been a successful year, and we are continuing to work closely with Transport for London to improve further in the future.”

A range of techniques to cut disruption have already been developed by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), funded by revenue raised through the lane rental scheme – the first of its kind in the UK. These include advanced underground mapping techniques and ‘key hole surgery’ to maintain utility pipes while avoiding the need to completely dig up the road surface, new plating and bridging systems over openings in the carriageway, and temporary backfill materials for trenches to get the carriageway back in use more quickly following works.

Bin it vs Can’t Flush This Big water companies unite to send warning as part of ‘BE THE START’, a national campaign inspired by HRH Prince of Wales

B

ritain’s two biggest water firms joined forces to stop people washing grease and wet wipes down drains – to cut the risk of their homes and businesses flooding with sewage.

Thames Water and United Utilities backed up their advice with harrowing images showing the vile consequences of the nationwide problem of ‘sewer abuse’ on May 10.

Sewer abuse increases the risk of blocked sewers, which leads to thousands of people’s homes flooding with sewage every year.

Tony Griffiths, a United Utilities wastewater network manager, said: “There are only three things that can be safely flushed down the loo without danger of blockage – wee, poo and paper. Flushing other items risks a big plumbing bill, as well as environmental damage.

“WITH SUCH A MULTITUDE OF CLEANING AND CLEANSING WIPES ACTIVELY MARKETED AS ‘FLUSHABLE’, WE NEEDED TO DO MORE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THIS PROBLEM”

‘Can’t Flush This’ says United’s MC Plumber

“With such a multitude of cleaning and cleansing wipes now being actively marketed as ‘flushable’, we felt we needed to do more to raise awareness of this problem with our ‘Can’t Flush This’ campaign.”

Rob Smith, Thames Water’s chief sewer flusher, added: “Sadly we are seeing more and more fat and wet wipes – which should never be flushed even if the packaging says Sewer flooding in a ‘flushable’ – ending up in our sewers. That’s Maida Vale restaurant a big headache for us, but it can also lead to sewage backing up into our customers’ homes participating organisations and gardens, which is utterly hideous. supporting and inspiring “Our plea is for everyone to start heeding people in their journey the sewermen’s war cry: ‘Bin it – towards a sustainable don’t block it’.” lifestyle.

The two companies gave the Each month Thames warning as part of ‘Be the Water, serving 14 million Start’, a national campaign run people in London and the

by Start, an initiative inspired Thames Valley, spends

by HRH Prince of Wales and £1 million clearing part of the responsible nearly 7,000 business charity, blockages from Business in the its 109,000km Community. of sewers.

The Half of campaign these are took place caused by during wronglythe month Sewerman Style was a smash flushed food of May and saw

Wet wipes at Bracknell sewage works

fat and wet wipes.

Every year 7,000 Thames Water customers’ gardens and 1,000 homes flood with sewage.

Half of these are the result of sewer abuse.

The picture is no different in the Northwest.

United Utilities – which serves seven million people across Manchester, Cumbria, Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire – spends £20 million a year tackling 53,000 blockages, many of which are the result of fat and wipes being flushed down the toilet.

Sewer blockages also cause serious environmental damage, killing fish and other wildlife.

Visit www.unitedutilities.com to view the MC Hammer-inspired follow-up to Sewerman Style. Plus, turn over for our Sewer Week special

hit at Christmas

www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 11

Getting dow “THE WICK LANE TRUNK SEWER TEAMS PERFORM SOME EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS WORK”

SEWE

Mark Handcock and Danny Brackley at Wick Lane

Singing sewermen hum a serious tune Head of technical services MARK HANDCOCK was so impressed by what he saw at Wick Lane he wrote this column The Wick Lane trunk sewer teams perform some extremely hazardous work. If they don’t follow strict safety standards, quite simply, lives could be put at risk.

They work underground, keeping the sewage flowing to our major treatment works, and this involves being in confined spaces deep under the streets of London for prolonged periods.

I first visited the Wick Lane site about 18 months ago and was very impressed with the standards there. The team has set the bar at a very high level and it is great to see – it is one of the best operational sites I have audited.

Everyone working from there clearly has a real passion for health and safety – right down to the stores, where everything is in perfect order.

I spoke to recently married Danny Brackley, a team manager, who has been part of the driving force behind getting things right.

He told me: “I have a real passion for things being in order. Keeping a site clean and tidy makes everyone feel good, and sets the tone for how we do things around here.”

Danny said getting everyone involved is key.

He added: “We have now reached a tipping point where it is second nature to work this way. Anyone not doing what is expected now sticks out like a sore thumb.

“Although it was tough at first, it is now much easier to maintain the standards – doing the right thing does not have to slow the job down.”

Health and safety is our number one priority at Thames Water. We know that on many of our sites we still have a long way to go to achieve the required standard.

Our Wick Lane depot is a great example of where we have had success and this is something the team should rightly be proud of.

‘Hazardous environment’ Mike Gunn, who has overall responsibility for energy to the team. I’m very proud of the teams and the job they do for our customers.” the site and teams, said one wrong move can put lives at risk.

“They work in a hazardous environment.

You’ve seen our Christmas songs, but don’t be fooled. What the guys do, day in day out, is serious stuff.

“We’ve introduced a new level of discipline to health and safety, which has rubbed off on everything we do. The arrival of some younger staff, including Mike Gunn’s teams look after Danny, helped bring a new infectious 1,500km of trunk sewers

12 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

Welcome to my office

Gordon McNamara, Cheryl Gardiner, Mark Gilbert, Paul Gunn and Christine Gunn

Matt Wood in the Abbey Mills archives

wn with

ER WEEK Spare socks now the football season has finished Light at the end of the tunnel

Here’s a selection of the best pictures – taken by planner IAN WRIGHTSON – from this year’s Sewer Week, which ran from May 13.

The annual event organised by Christine Gunn gives staff, stakeholders and members of the public the chance to walk through a trunk sewer, tour Abbey Mills and learn about the history of London’s sewerage system

Rob Smith’s safety briefing

Fiori, David Ellis, Rob Smith, Kieren Brackley, Daniel Winn, Gary Bell, Tony , Golledge Keith White, Craig d, Newstea Tony Calder, Graham Stokes, Danny Shaun rs manage team and Andrews Shaun Keith), Peter Stevens (hiding behind Walkling and Danny Brackley

www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 13

news

New pipes and delicate digging

BY CRAIG RANCE Work to replace old, creaky water pipes near Reading railway station that were more than 100 years old finished recently.

Two water mains at the junction of Station Hill, Tudor Road and Greyfriars Road dating back to the Victorian era were replaced to help reduce leakage in the Berkshire town.

Andrew Popple, Thames Water’s head of programme delivery, said: “The old leaky pipes have been replaced with tough plastic ones less prone to bursts and leaks. This will reduce the risk of supply interruptions for our customers.”

The 90mm and 125mm pipes have been replaced as part of Thames Water’s plan to reduce leakage in Reading by one million litres per day.

This work is more than 40 per cent complete and has helped the company cut leakage to its lowest-ever level, a third less than it was a decade ago.

Elsewhere in the town, work to repair a broken sewer in Reading had to be slowed down to help protect a historic church.

Thames Water had been working to repair a collapsed wastewater pipe in Friar Street next to St Laurence’s Church since November. Work was due to finish in February but was eventually completed at the end of May. Andrew added: “We needed to excavate close to the vault of the church to get to the collapsed section. This required extra care because large digging machinery can cause vibrations that could have damaged delicate foundations.

“We carried out extensive tests to make sure we weren’t endangering the structure of the church and did a lot of the work by hand.”

MGJV’s project manager Rob Anderson, Atkins engineer Dr Andy Hughes and Thames Water’s Bryn Philpott signing off Knight and Bessborough Reservoirs

A dam fine show ‘Long-term effort’ to clear reservoir safety workload hailed by regulator, reveals a proud JON GREEN

T

he Environment Agency has praised Thames Water for eliminating all its reservoir safety items – for the first time in history.

The reservoir safety team cleared the final item on a long-standing backlog by signing off the replacement of the inlet mains at Knight and Bessborough Reservoirs at the start of May. It is the result of 10 years hard work to make sure all the company’s reservoirs fully meet the high safety standards required by law.

EA reservoir safety manager Tony Deakin said: “Well done in completing this work. There are not many owners that have your track record of managing and maintaining your assets to such high standards.”

The purpose of the Reservoirs Act 1975, regulated by the EA, is to ensure that dams and reservoirs are safely built and maintained in order to prevent structural failure, and the severe flooding that could result.

Last month was the first time since the inauguration of the act that Thames Water has achieved the ‘zero measures’ mark.

“THERE ARE NOT MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE YOUR TRACK RECORD OF MANAGING AND MAINTAINING YOUR ASSETS TO SUCH HIGH STANDARDS” The path next to St Laurence’s Church has reopened this month 14 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

Jon Green said there were 44 outstanding inspections when he was appointed Thames Water’s reservoir safety manager 10 years ago, and that “a long term effort from many parts

of the business” has now paid dividends.

“Receiving that certificate for the completion of the work at Knight and Bessborough Reservoirs was a real landmark,” he said. “We’ve now managed to clear the backlog and resolve any other issues in between.

“If any of these major assets failed it would have high business consequences and could affect a number of customers, so the work is vitally important.

“It doesn’t stop here, however, and we will continue to act effectively and professionally in our approach to managing and investing in these reservoirs.”

700 inspections a year The six-strong reservoir safety team consists of four engineers (Jon Green, Bryn Philpott, Chris Smith and Rob Cox), a land surveyor (Maw Fianyo-Adovor) and geotechnical monitoring technician (Dave McCann). They ensure all parts of the company understand and comply with the Reservoirs Act 1975.

They have more than 110 years of experience between them and carry out over 700 inspections a year on Thames Water’s large assets, including raw water reservoirs, service reservoirs, water towers, contact tanks, raw and clean water tunnels, aqueducts, bridges and surface water balancing ponds.

These inspections play a key role in keeping them all working effectively and safely, as well as making sure actions are taken and investment is made at the right time.

price review Roadshow manager Clare Carlaw

Listening to

customers Teams on tour encouraging customers to share their views on Thames Water’s plans for the future

BY ANDREW BOYD

P

rice review ambassadors have been helping run a series of roadshows to ask customers what they think of the company’s draft five-year business plan.

Thames Water stands have been popping up at community events and shopping centres across the region to seek views on the proposals due to be submitted to Ofwat in early December.

Anna Badowska at Abingdon

The plan covers the five years to 2020 and will help determine the limit for bills over that period. The events have also helped promote a separate consultation on the company’s draft 25-year Water Resources Management Plan.

Stakeholder engagement manager Clare Carlaw, who has been managing the roadshows, said: “Ofwat has put more emphasis than ever on the importance of showing that customers support what we are proposing and that, where necessary, we have listened and amended our plans.

“MORE EMPHASIS THAN EVER ON SHOWING THAT CUSTOMERS SUPPORT WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING” “We want to get as many responses as we can, not just from customers but also from our own employees and their family and friends.

More people responding adds weight to our consultation and gives us a better idea whether people agree with our plans.”

She praised the staff for speaking to more than 2,000 customers at the first 10 of the 21 public roadshow events, staged at venues in places like Abingdon, Fleet and Tower Hamlets throughout May. Change manager Ben Atkins, who chatted to shoppers in Brent Cross, said: “I was pleasantly surprised at how many were genuinely interested in our plans, and they were pleased we were asking their opinion.”

Special projects manager Peter Taylor was in Oxford city centre. He said: “I was struck by how many people asked about water meters.

Most wanted one but often they lived in a block of flats.”

KEY PROPOSALS Begin progressively metering all properties, increasing the proportion of metered homes from around 30 per cent to 56 Reduce leakage from around 665 million litres per day to 620 Help reduce average usage per head from 161 litres per day to 153 Encourage ‘sustainable drainage’ schemes to reduce the volume of rainfall running into our sewers Reduce flood risk for 2,100 homes, including 1,700 in the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, as part of our huge Counters Creek scheme Increase the amount of renewable energy we generate from sewage sludge to 30 per cent by 2020 To take part in the online consultation, which closes on June 25, visit www.thameswater.co.uk/haveyoursay or look out for paper copies of the plan and questionnaire.

don on May 24

The roadshow visits Brunel in Swin

www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 15

news

Leak team in full flow No time to relax as harsh winter is taking its toll on the LEAKAGE AND OPTIMISATION teams

T

he pressure is back on just a month after Thames Water hit its seventh successive annual leakagereduction target.

The company, which provides water to nine million people across London and the Thames Valley, beat its regulator-agreed goal for 2012/13 by a daily margin of 27 million litres.

But the team has started this year on the back foot as they come to terms with the effect of one of the coldest and longest winters on record.

Leakage and optimisation manager Geoff Paul said: “We start the year with figures higher than ever before. This is due to the prolonged

winter conditions running so late into April, with water temperature only beginning to warm up last month after the coldest March in 50 years.

“There is a lot of work to do, but I am confident we will achieve our target with all the teams involved working closely together.”

“WE START THE YEAR WITH FIGURES HIGHER THAN EVER BEFORE DUE TO THE PROLONGED WINTER CONDITIONS” Ofwat has once again agreed this year’s leakage-reduction target of 673 Ml/d – the same as last year. However, due to the

pressures on security of supply of water in London, the team has set an upper target of 665 Ml/d, which has been published in the latest draft water resource management plan.

But Thames Water’s leakage optimisation team are no strangers to adversity having hit last year’s target in the most challenging of circumstances.

Geoff added: “The Olympic streetworks embargos limited where we could detect and repair leaks between May and September and there was the introduction of WAMI. “Add one of the coldest and longest winters on record and you get a picture of the challenges we faced. Water temperatures had been consistently at or below five degrees Celsius from early December through to April, which caused a prolonged and sustained high volume of winter bursts as the cast iron pipes fracture under these extreme conditions.”

Patt on the back for grad

Rising Star Stephen Pattenden was voted the most likely to be a senior leader first at Thames Water by his peers at the third annual Graduate Awards.

The Reading Town Hall event on May 16 recognised 20 of the 2011 graduates who have completed the 18 month development programme and highlighted some of the achievements of the 2012 intake after their first eight months.

A “surprised” Stephen claimed the inaugural Rising Star Award for ‘making the greatest impact’ on the company since joining in 2011.

He said: “I’m delighted to have been recognised like this. It means all the more as it was my graduate colleagues who decided I should receive this – to me that’s a great endorsement.”

Elsewhere, Alex Saunders gave the best end of programme presentation to senior managers and Stephanie Davidovitz won the Values Award, as nominated by Pete Cotton.

From the 2012 graduates, WaterAid Recognition Certificates were presented to the ‘H2Go’ team of Donna Ketteringham, Mike Cannon, Reenal Patel, Joe Brian, Jenny Rhodes, Rob Sainsbury and Kyle Mayers for their BanglaDash fundraising event.

Kyle also won the Innovation Award and Zak Espi-Castillo, who was nominated by Emma Steel, was named most supportive manager.

16 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

Bob Collington with Stephanie Davidovitz Rising Star Stephen Pattenden with Janet Burr

Alex Saunders with Joolz Summers

H2Go raised £2,700 for WaterAid

Mark Pulleyn Jo Kirkland

Fire hydrant

backlog extinguished London Fire Brigade order book reached its lowest level in eight years last month

T

he region’s 11 fire and rescue services pay Thames Water to repair and maintain around 112,000 fire hydrants.

These hydrants are Thames Water property and provide vital backup water for putting out flames during emergencies.

In the capital it is estimated that there is nearly one fire hydrant on every street corner to assist the London Fire Brigade – so keeping these in good working order is crucial.

Standards, however, had slipped over time and the company accepted it was not only failing to repair hydrants to the expected level but was also taking too long to do it.

Fire brigade liaison manager Geoff Johnson said: “We acknowledged it was not good enough and the London Fire Brigade was right to complain.”

In response, a team was put together in May

2012 to tackle the backlog in London and across the Thames Valley, and make sure the quality of every repair was up to scratch.

They focussed on the oldest and most difficult jobs by working closely with TfL (Transport for London) and the highway authorities to overcome traffic management delays and clear the workload.

Geoff, part of developer services, said: “The first milestone was achieved at the end of May when the London Fire Brigade order book got to the lowest level in eight years, with a reduction in two years of 1,200 jobs. The number of old outstanding orders has reduced significantly and the quality of workmanship has greatly improved.

“The success came from lots of different teams from across the business working together. There are still many challenges ahead in our aim to give the fire brigade a first class service, but I am confident we now have everything in order.”

The team, however, continues to review its processes further to make sure the high backlog levels never return and that the improved performance is maintained.

Duke is used to scare off pigeons

Owl was it for you?

The team at Walnut Court were getting hands-on with these stunning birds of prey last month.

Business services manager at the Swindon office, Nik Harmen, booked Phil Voller of Wings-over-Wiltshire to fly in his two Harris hawks, called Nessa and Duke, and a barn owl named Darcy on May 2.

Communications executive Paula Groom said: “It was a great way to learn about these beautiful birds of prey.

“Swindon has a problem with seagulls despite being 44 miles inland and you will often see hawks being used as a deterrent to stop them nesting. This often leads to traffic congestion though as people stop to take pictures.

“This was a great opportunity to see them up close without having to stop the car.”

The hydrant team of Lauren Hosking, Sharon Achtsam, Alfred Kolawole, Geoff Johnson, Shilpi Janjuha and Sharon Wynn

Catherine Roberts Tim Wakley

www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 17

news Horspath res plans shelved Thames Water has put major plans to build a storage reservoir in Horspath on the back burner for at least another 15 years.

A detailed review of water demand and availability revealed it is no longer necessary to expand the treated water storage at the existing reservoir.

It was first believed in 2008 that an increase was required to meet peak demand and the company had intended to invest around £2.6 million developing the south Oxford site. The planning application was withdrawn last month.

Service reservoirs act as holding tanks on the water supply network, like hot water tanks in lofts. They take in treated water during off-peak periods for when demand increases.

Royal manes!

Bottled water was sent to grounds outside Windsor Castle as low pressure threatened a world class equestrian event running.

Thames Water was urgently called as the taps trickled at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, one of the highlights on the equestrian calendar with more than 4,000 entrants, on May 8.

The emergency took place after more than 80 firefighters tackled a blaze which caused a building in Windsor town centre to partially collapse.

Engineers galloped past the chaos to Home Park to discover the low pressure was caused by a problem with the private system, and not because of the gallons of water used on the fire as first thought.

Thames Water, however, jumped in the saddle and supplied a tanker and bottled water to stop the horse show falling at the first.

Savings, results Thames Water has won an award for commercial excellence in partnership with Efficio for their work in sourcing goods and services worth £400m a year.

The partnership has benefitted from a five-year commitment of working and scooped a prize at the Management Consultancies Association ceremony recently.

Chief executive Martin Baggs said: “Our partnership has offered an excellent return on investment, quality consulting support and the ability to break free from old ways of working. The project has delivered both savings and improved results, and this award is a credit to all of those involved.”

18 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

The Executive are coming soon to a site near you

EXECUTIVE ROADSHOW What’s on your mind?

No agenda – talk to members of the Executive team face-to-face about whatever you want

BY ALICE COWIE

T

he Executive start their tour of more than 50 Thames Water sites this month wanting to know once again: ‘What’s on your mind?’

Martin Baggs, Richard Aylard, Lawrence Gosden, Janet Burr, Piers Clark, Stuart Siddall, Nick Fincham, Michael Gerrard, Bob Collington and Natalie Beckerman will be travelling across the entire region during the week starting Monday, June 10 to give employees the opportunity to speak face-to-face with the team of directors.

“Last year we had a great turnout, some very open and honest discussions, and investigated everything that was put to us” The purpose of the roadshow is to find out what staff from all corners of the business think, to hear of any concerns, listen to ideas and, where appropriate, make the steps to put these into action.

Last year’s June event was deemed a great success and a lot of the feedback received

has directly led to a number of business improvements, including revising the PDR process, improving communications like e-brief, teamtalk and the Source and making handheld devices easier to use.

External affairs director, Richard Aylard said: “Last year’s roadshow was a really good opportunity for us to hear – first hand and face-to-face – what’s on people’s minds. We had a great turnout across all sites and some very open and honest discussions. We learnt a lot, investigated everything that was put to us and a lot of actions resulted. I’d really encourage everyone to come along and have their say this year.”

For a full list of dates and times of when the roadshow is visiting your patch, please see the portal or contact internal communications

We’re better connected

‘Connectivity is poor’, was the frustrating feedback when WAMI went live and the Exec team hit the road last June

BY ANNI GRUNER

W

hat has been done to improve connectivity in the past 12 months?

Although WAMI brought new capabilities to mobile users, such as raising jobs more effectively, it increased the dependency on having a good connection. This posed real challenges for site-based teams and WAMI device users.

As a result, project manager John Penicud and his team spoke with Thames Water partners WIPRO, Vodafone, Birdstep and Digital Air to understand how other companies in the UK dealt with connectivity problems.

“MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDERS SIMPLY DON’T BUILD TOWERS IN REMOTE PLACES OR UNDERGROUND” They spoke also with other water company providers, the MOD and NHS, and looked at the company’s WAMI processes to ensure they were able to cope with lower levels of connectivity better.

John said: “We know it’s still not perfect, and mobile service providers simply don’t build towers in remote places, they also don’t build them underground.

“But we’ve been working hard with them, other organisations and our partners to ensure that we have the best processes in place and to find suitable solutions.”

Site-based users WiFi was installed at 27 operational sites for devices to connect to Thames Water’s network – details of these can be found on the IS portal pages.

At some of the larger sites, such as Crossness, Long Reach, Rye Meads and Hogsmill, external WiFi has been installed.

James Brown, maintenance delivery manager in the north east, said: “Connectivity has improved at Rye Meads, allowing the teams to download their jobs quicker.”

At smaller sites, such as Shalford water works, devices such as LAN connectors, which allow Toughbooks to connect to the fixed line network, were tested rather than relying on a weak 3G signal.

Access to BT Openzone public WiFi hotspots in urban areas will speed up connections

For mobile users The team worked with Vodafone and Birdstep to gain access to BT Openzone public WiFi hotspots in urban areas.

Security changes mean devices should connect without the need for logins and passwords. Access to BT Openzone is being rolled out to all network technicians within the London area.

What about Toughbooks?

A SAP update on May 19 helps devices work offline. It also ensures that when technicians come back into signal

range work isn’t lost. This is crucial, as WiFi or 3G signals will never be strong enough in some situations.

Is it working?

Things are definitely improving. Birdstep can test the level of connectivity achieved by an individual user on a meter. This helps identify low connectivity and find the appropriate solutions – currently 200 of these meters have been deployed to users across operations.

More improvements are planned to ensure offline working is easier and jobs are not lost or moved.

Through IS roadshows and service improvement forums, the team will also continue to roll out enhancements – striving to make connectivity across Thames Water as good as it can be. www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 19

20 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

wateraid

Becky Johnson saw how our money is spent

Mark Wickstead raised £550

‘Best experience ever’ said Siobhan Gilley

Kylie Stevens raised £350

GERONIMO! Big jump for Bangladesh

Ross Betts faces his fear

Sky divers raise more than £4,500 for WaterAid

F

ourteen daredevils jumped out of a plane from 13,000 feet last month to help Thames Water’s four adopted communities in Bangladesh.

“For years I’ve seen adverts around the office but never had the nerve to do it,” said cash and debt performance manager Ross Betts. “This year I thought it’s time.”

Process and performance improvement manager Mark Wickstead added: “It didn’t feel dangerous because we were so far from the ground. It’s surreal.

“This was followed by a fantastic spiralling descent with clear views for miles and a graceful landing bang on target.”

Campaigns manager Becky Johnson raised just over £1,000 – enough to provide toilets for 200 schoolchildren and a new hand pump.

She said after taking the plunge at Hinton Airfield: “I never thought I’d jump out of a plane, but after my visit to Bangladesh in April I couldn’t have been more determined.

“I’d been frightened of the feeling of falling and being out

of control, but it was nothing to worry about. I felt very safe and calm and nothing can beat how surreal it is to float through a cloud.”

Siobhan Gilley, civil engineer for Black & Veatch, signed up at the Big Fat Cheesy Quiz final and raised over £1,240.

“I’ve been blown away by the support,” she said. “The clouds cleared below and before I could even think about what was about to happen I was dangling out of the plane ready to jump. During the 45 seconds of freefall at 120mph I don’t remember thinking much more than ‘wow’. The best experience ever.”

If you’re interested in facing a fear and raising money for WaterAid, contact tom.ray@ thameswater.co.uk.

Peddle power The Beckton to Hampton cycle ride flew past “without a hitch” as the 24 riders raised over £2,000 for WaterAid on May 19.

Staff peddled through Canary Wharf, the historic streets of London and the Thames tow paths until they reached Richmond Park and Hampton Court Palace.

Organiser Gary Knights said: “The weather was kind and route clear of problems and punctures.

At the end there was a welcoming BBQ and even more welcome drink at the bar.”

Gary praised event sponsors ERIKS, Status Scientific, Mitie and BP McKeefry for their support.

May’s sky divers Doug Deas, Michael Cannon, Steven Rose, Mark Hewitt, Andre Phillips, Jason Hewitt, Phil Davitt, Graham Vinters, Paige Hewitt, Siobhan Gilley, Kylie Stevens, Mark Wickstead, Ross Betts and Becky Johnson www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 21

WaterAid Lottery winner “overwhelmed” Tracy Sacks said she was “shocked and overwhelmed” to land last month’s top prize after playing the WaterAid Lottery for the last two years.

The Reading-based community investment and education manager said after scooping the £800 jackpot: “I’d urge everyone not signed up to the lottery to consider doing so – after all, you’ve got to be in it to win it.

“It is great to know we are making a real difference to the four communities in Bangladesh” “It is great to know that all the players are making a real difference to the four communities in Bangladesh we are currently supporting.

“My monthly donation is all managed through payroll and it is a quick and easy way to give regularly to support the fantastic work WaterAid are involved with.”

Shares in the lottery cost £1 each, and you can have as many as you like. Runners-up in the most recent monthly draw, each receiving £25, were: V Hooson Jones, J Hay, Philip Woodington, T Sumpter, PG George, Steve Rock, SC Weaver, JF Davis, Carol Pemberton, DM Clark, Mahendrasinh Jadeja, P Large, CA Gardner, Stephanie Harrison, Charles Carroll, Suzanna Smart, Anne Hickey, DM Bowers, Cassandra Glavin, Chris Ralph, Stephen Jakeman, Julian Tomasso, AP Hatton and JEE Ekin.

Contact Ginika Okoye for more information and to sign up.

Lawrence Gosden with British Water’s Paul Mullord

INSPIRING

innovation exchange

By HEATHER LEWIS-JONES

T

hames Water joined forces with industry trade association British Water to host an “inspiring” innovation exchange last month.

The Madejski Stadium event on May 15 gave contractors and suppliers the chance to share cutting edge solutions to their biggest challenges.

Lawrence Gosden, asset director at Thames Water, said opening the event: “The need for innovation in the water industry is greater than it’s ever been. Now is the time for water companies to join forces with the supply chain.

“We need to find the solutions that will help us deliver the level of service our customers expect while keeping their bills affordable.”

Among the innovative ideas

discussed was the use of pre-fabricated construction techniques which involve building parts in a factory that are then assembled on site. This reduces construction time, saves money and increases safety.

Over 30 suppliers contributed to workshops on off-site construction, operational efficiency and street works and customer service. They showcased innovative products and services already on the market as well as new ideas under development.

Lawrence added: “If we’re to strike the right balance between affordability for our customers and the essential investment needed in our business, we need to take a more innovative approach to how we do things. The innovation exchange was an inspiring look at what the future holds for us.”

Pink ladies glow with pride

Clive Dickens received a warm welcome to Bangladesh in April 22 | june 2013 www.thameswater.co.uk

Three pink ladies are hoping to push their fundraising total over a grand after completing the London MoonWalk on May 11.

The streetworks trio of Vicki Price, contract performance manager, Jan Chapman, technical manager, and Denise Rys, policy consultant, enjoyed the event so much they have already agreed to have another crack at the 13.1 mile distance next year.

“We all loved it,” said Jan. “It was such a great experience. It certainly didn’t feel as though we’d been up all night without sleep – we were still laughing and joking through to the finish line.”

The team, named Hot Magenta, crossed the start line just after

midnight and were back at a glowing pink Battersea power station at 5.30am. So far they have raised around £750.

Visit www.walkthewalkfundraising. org/hot_magenta to sponsor them.

Medals for Hot Magenta

NEWT SURVEY AT DAWN

When media manager Simon Evans made light of a newspaper report on a contractor’s van squashing some daffodils, conservation team leader Cathy Purse challenged him to attend a dawn newt survey. He came away a changed man

B

arring illness, over-indulgence and mishaps, a newt can live up to 18 years.

They’re odd creatures. They live in odd places. Places like the two redundant sewage lagoons, now filled with rainwater, at the back of Bracknell sewage works.

At 7am I joined Claudia Innes, Becky Elliott and Katie Delaney, experts armed with Masters qualifications in biodiversity-related subjects, at the water’s edge.

“They’re a bit like dinosaurs. I don’t think they’ve evolved a great deal in millions of years” Dotted in the reeds are stakes, each holding a plastic bottle with the top turned in. For some reason newts just can’t resist swimming in. Onehundred traps were set the previous night. Newt surveys, held over a 12-hour period, take place here six times a year. Numbers, varieties and sex are recorded.

The surveys are required under a licence granted two years ago by Natural England before the sewage works was expanded. A colony of newts had to be moved to the old lagoons and Thames Water must track their progress for five years.

Claudia and Becky begin lifting the traps. Katie, with the clipboard, is today’s note-taker. Trap one: two Smooth Newts, squirming brilliantly.

Once counted, they’re released.

Six traps in and Becky exclaims: “GCN!” That’s lingo for Great Crested Newt, a rare species afforded European environmental protection. It perches obediently on her hand.

“He’s a lovely little guy, isn’t he?” Yes, he is. You can tell this one’s a bloke because of his wide girth and more ostentatious crest.

“They’re a bit like dinosaurs,” says Claudia.

“I don’t think they’ve evolved a great deal in millions of years.”

Of course, there’s a serious point to all this.

By law no development can take place without first ensuring that treasured flora and fauna, like these newts, will not be harmed. The team needs to make these vital checks and give the all-clear.

“One day you’re in Essex, next day you’re in Gloucestershire. We do a lot of driving,” says Katie.

Becky, mum to nine-month-old Alice, adds: “We’re up late and out very early. I have to grab dinner on the run. I don’t get to see Alice every night but that’s all part of the role as an ecologist, and I really enjoy the outdoor aspect of the job.”

The numbers on the day could have been better. A cold spring has taken its toll. It’s now egg-laying season. Eggs are tucked away on leaves that mummy newts fold over for protection. By the time this edition goes to print those eggs will have hatched, beefing up numbers for next year.

A top workout One of the unexpected benefits of newt surveying is the work-out.

“All the lunging and squatting you do laying and lifting 200 traps is great exercise,” says Claudia Innes, biodiversity strategy manager.

“By mid-spring the stinging nettles overrun the edge of the ponds. You get stung on the bum so much, you develop immunity.”

The team found 54 Smooth Newts (25 male, 29 female) and six Great Crested Newts (five male, one female)

Becky Elliott, Katie Delaney and Claudia Innes www.thameswater.co.uk june 2013 | 23

Designed by: Octagon Design and Marketing Ltd, Britannic Chambers, 8a Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts S80 1PH. Tel: 01909 478822 Email: info@octagon.org.uk