Pipe up: Tom Francis

“The greatest challenges were felt at sites where back-up generators failed or were not available”

As some of the highest energy users in the UK, water companies were hit hard by interruptions to the power network brought about by fallen power lines during the recent stormy weather, high winds and prolonged periods of heavy rainfall.
Over the past few weeks, interruptions to the electricity supply have threatened the treatment and distribution of water as control room technology, pumps and alarms have been disrupted by intermittent and sustained blackouts.
The greatest challenges were felt at sites where back-up generators failed or were not available, requiring mobile generators to be deployed. The fuel required for running mobile units, and the unplanned overtime for staff to man them, has cost the industry – exacerbated by the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Kent and Sussex were particularly badly hit, with South East Water needing to deploy staff around the clock over Christmas to restore water supplies. Outages caused by lightning strikes, flooding and wind damage meant generators needed to be put to use across the region and emergency maintenance carried out at pumping stations affected.
In total, more than 70 technicians, customer service staff and contractors cancelled their Christmas holidays and worked long hours throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to restore water supplies.
Similarly, Welsh Water responded effectively to power interruptions at seven water treatment works in the New Year when severe weather returned. At Amroth, on the south west coast, an unexpected combination of high tides and strong winds washed away a section of road along the sea front, severing a water main in the process. Technicians were swiftly deployed and repaired the main, despite the difficult conditions.
On the wastewater side, many rivers burst their banks, threatening nearby wastewater treatment works. High river levels often prevent treated wastewater from being discharged, which can lead to sewage backing up.
Water utilities will inevitably have to review whether investment to protect assets is required to mitigate the impact of such weather in the future. With relatively mild temperatures to date, others may also be wondering whether a sudden drop in temperatures is imminent – and what the consequences may be.