Memorandum submitted by Mrs Judy Chipchase
(FL 03)
FLOODING: GRANDPONT
OXFORD
Following my experience the recent flooding
in Oxford I would like the Commons Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs Select Committee to recommend more action on the part
of the Water Companies. Although my house did not itself flood
(water coming up only under the house and in the rear garden)
sewage was within two cm. of overflowing from my kitchen drain
into the garden as the sewers in South Oxford were backing up.
I have a shared sewer and only in the preceding week had had the
sewer dug up because my neighbour didn't understand that cooking
oil could block the trap. The operatives who dug up the sewer
were clear that putting anything other then toilet soil and dirty
washing water down our old drainage system should not happen.
Also at the time the drains were backing up people in the locality
were quite happily having baths and doings loads of washing though
the situation was so critical for me and my neighbours we virtually
stopped putting anything down our drains.
Whilst I have nothing but praise for the Environment
Agency and its telephone advance warnings and the Fire Brigade
and the Councils during this critical time, I really think Thames
Water should ensure that every house in areas where the sewers
are at risk of backing up should be told to limit their use of
drains to soil when a severe flood warning is imminent. I also
think there needs to be campaigns to ensure that people at all
times do not put down anything that is likely to silt up or block
the drains. I would point out that a certain toilet wipe (I mean
substantial wipes not toilet paper) company that sponsors "The
Bill" on ITV shows someone putting a wipe down the drain
as acceptable practice. Apart from this point these floods with
three major ones in my area in seven years illustrate the need
to cut down on carbon emissions which has not been given as much
prominence as these floods would suggest the need for and which
hope the Select Committee will emphasise.
I have insulated and double glazed my house,
given up flying, hardly drive my car, thus substantially reducing
my carbon footprint and am planning for a solar panel. Government
action is required so that others act similarly. Government action
is also required to manage farmland to absorb more water and if
necessary be turned into temporary holding reservoirs with new
physical constructions upstream from cities like Oxford. It would
surely be cheaper to pay out farmers than the cost involved in
getting houses habitable again after the floods.
Judy Chipchase (Mrs)
August 2007
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