WORKS AT NEW ROAD RECREATION GROUND

WORKS BEING UNDERTAKEN AT NEW ROAD RECREATION GROUND [JUST INSIDE THE STREAM ENTRANCE]

APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE OR DISRUPTION BUT THESE ARE ESSENTIAL WORKS BEING CARRIED OUT ON BEHALF OF SE WATER.

The following gives an explanation of what is to take place, following a site meeting with the contractor:

OBSERVATIONAL BOREHOLE to be installed near The Stream on the South-Western corner of the Old Recreation Ground, Ditton

Background

South East Water have built a new treatment works to the North of the M20 and as part of the infrastructure improvements have drilled a number of abstraction boreholes in the vicinity. The abstraction of water from the underground water reservoir (aquifer) has the effect of lowering the water level in the aquifer. The Medway at Aylesford is tidal and at high tide, salt or brackish water is forced up the Medway as far as Allington Lock. Consequently, if the water level in the aquifer becomes too low, there is a risk that this salt or brackish water could enter the aquifer and render it unusable as a source of drinking water (without significant extra processing).

Purpose of Borehole

The Ditton borehole will be 25m deep and will monitor the salinity of the aquifer such that, should salinity be detected, the abstraction process will be stopped to prevent further contamination by salt.

This "observational borehole” forms part of the essential works required to assure a continued supply of potable water to the residents of Ditton and environs

Construction of the Borehole

The initial phase of construction of the borehole will be achieved using a drilling rig to penetrate the overburden and the underlying sandstone deposits (Folkestone Formation). This will take three days.

The second phase is the introduction of a liner to protect the integrity of the borehole, and to prevent contamination from upper levels. Johnny will get back to us to advise whether this will be piled in place; [I noted that they were quite shocked by the question]

The final phase is the fitting of a 2m diameter capping camber that is finished flush with the surrounding ground level including an access hatch to permit monitoring of the instrumentation.

Maintenance

The site will be visited regularly by a man on foot to take readings from the instrumentation.

Timescale

14 February Lay track matting to protect the surface and prevent ruts being formed by vehicle movements and heavy machinery

20-22 February Drilling

28-29 February Installation of borehole liner

&

1 and 4 March

7-11 March Installation of capping chamber and make good.

Nuisance

The drilling rig will be accompanied by a droning diesel engine between 9am and 4pm for the duration of phase 1

The lining rig will be accompanied by a droning diesel engine and potentially impacts from the piling machine (to be confirmed) between 9am and 4pm for the duration of phase 2

The construction of the capping chamber will be accompanied by the sound of a petrol cement mixer between 9am and 4pm for the duration

.

Below is a link to the Butler Water Treatment Works website, which you can visit to learn more about the reasoning behind the works.

https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/about/updates/news/new-water-treatment-works-in-kent/

ATTACHED IS A COPY OF A LETTER DISTRIBUTED TO THE NEIGHBOURING PROPERTIES