Southern Water, a major player in the water utility sector, has issued an apology for the disruption caused by round-the-clock tanker operations on a bustling street in Hythe. The company’s 15 large tankers, stationed outside the former Duke’s Head pub, along with a 10mph safety restriction, have left residents bewildered for several weeks. Each tanker, with a capacity of up to 18,000 litres, is being used to pump out excess groundwater and transport it to a treatment works elsewhere, a measure aimed at managing “exceptionally high groundwater levels” entering the local wastewater network.
This operation is a standard emergency response used by wastewater firms when sewer systems are overwhelmed by rainwater or groundwater, risking internal flooding or pollution. The recent wetter-than-average conditions in Kent have saturated the ground, putting immense pressure on sewer systems across the region. Southern Water is also deploying additional tankers in other parts of the south to tackle similar issues caused by record downpours.
A spokesperson for Southern Water acknowledged the disruption caused by the operation but emphasized its necessity. “We are using tankers in the Hythe area to manage the exceptionally high groundwater levels entering our wastewater network and reducing its capacity,” they said. The company asserts that tankering helps relieve pressure on sewers, reduces the risk of flooding, protects homes, maintains essential services, and limits environmental impact while conditions stabilize.
However, Southern Water stresses that the tanker operations are a short-term measure and not directly linked to concerns about sewage discharges off the Kent coast, which have been highlighted by recent reports and warnings affecting swimmers. KentOnline previously reported a surge in swimming water quality alerts off Hythe’s beaches due to increased sewage discharge alerts, according to data from campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.
The company has not indicated when the Hythe tankering operation will conclude. Meanwhile, Stephen Bailey, Mayor of Hythe, commented on the situation: “I think it’s a vast improvement on previous tankering operations. While it is disturbing residents on Dymchurch Road, which it will be, it is the lesser of two evils. We can hope that the groundwater subsides fairly soon and the operations will cease until next year.”
Southern Water is currently tankering in several Kent locations, including Alkham, Elham, Littlebroune, and Ottinge, while operations have finished in Newington and Stanford. In April 2024, KentOnline reported how sewage tankers were “ruining” the quality of life for Hythe residents, with large vehicles frequently accessing the nearby Range Road Wastewater Pumping Station. This year, the water company has moved operations to Dymchurch Road, deemed the most suitable decision given the circumstances.
This situation underscores the broader challenges faced by water utilities in managing extreme weather conditions and the infrastructure strain they bring. As climate change continues to intensify rainfall patterns, the need for robust and sustainable water management solutions becomes ever more critical. The sector must innovate and invest in long-term strategies to mitigate the impacts of such weather events, ensuring the resilience of wastewater networks and minimizing disruptions to communities.