Water company quashes concerns over Ardingly Reservoir
Fears over plans to increase the rate of water abstraction from the Upper Ouse into Ardingly Reservoir have been quashed by water company bosses.
Members of Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association said this week that it had “serious concerns” about what it said were South East Water’s abstraction proposals.
The group warned that the plan could create risks for local communities if contamination were ever to occur at the Balcombe oil exploration site.
Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association spokesperson Helen Savage said: “Ardingly Reservoir is a critical water source for Mid Sussex. We are deeply concerned about the hydrological connection between the Balcombe oil site operated by Angus Energy and the reservoir.
“If a spill or chemical release were to happen, there is a real risk that contaminants could enter the water system – with serious consequences for people, wildlife, and the wider environment.”
They said they were shocked to discover that South East Water already pumps ‘a very significant amount of water from the river Ouse into the reservoir every winter.’
But South East Water says it has ‘no plans to increase the rate of water abstraction from the Upper Ouse above what is currently allowed.’
Emma Goddard, South East Water's head of environment, said: “We consider ourselves as guardians of the environment and we take our responsibilities seriously, working hard to protect rivers, boost biodiversity and enhance the environment for future generations.
“We can confirm we have no plans to increase the rate of water abstraction from the Upper Ouse above what is currently allowed in the abstraction licence granted by the Environment Agency.
“The Drought Permit which we were granted on September 22 allowed us to start pumping from the Upper Ouse earlier than is normally allowed by the abstraction licence (November 1), but only when flows are high enough in the river.
“We are undertaking an extensive water quality monitoring programme along the length of the River Ouse to monitor the impact of the dry weather and any effects from the implementation of the Drought Permit.
“As part of our Risk Assessment procedures we take into consideration hazardous activities in the catchments which could give rise to contamination such as industrial activity, infrastructure, waste disposal activities, contaminated land and sewage works discharges.
“This information is assessed along with analytical results on a monthly basis using data from the previous five years.”
However, Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association is meanwhile calling for ‘an immediate, independent hydrological study of potential contamination pathways between Angus Energy Oil exploration site and Ardingly Reservoir.’
And they want a precautionary halt to any oil extraction plans; consultation with local residents before any final decision is made and an emergency monitoring system to check for oil contaminants in the Upper Ouse linked to an emergency shut-off for pumping into the reservoir.
“This is not just about Balcombe,” added association chairman John Clarkson. “It is about safeguarding clean water for thousands of households in West Sussex. Once a water source is contaminated, the damage is often irreversible.”