East Dorset Sewage Treatment Services

Aims of the strategy

There are 38 Dorset Council owned and maintained sewage treatment works (STW) and Septic Tanks (STs) in rural areas of East Dorset. As the operator Dorset Council must meet the general binding rules for these small treatment works and septic tanks, failure to do so can result in unlimited fines and potential prosecution and imprisonment.  Both the current sewerage network and administration of the services are out of date and in need of updating in line with current legislation.

A recent asset-based condition assessment of the 13 sewage treatment works has highlighted the poor condition, in some cases complete failure, of a number of these works. A series of replacements needs to be established to recommission these failing assets. A robust inspection and maintenance schedule need to be implemented.

A report is going to cabinet in September to agree an additional capital budget to implement additional inspection, survey and replacement of plant that has reached the end of its natural life. And to agree an increase to the maintenance budget.

The main objectives of this policy are:

• to replace the sewage treatment works that have failed.
• establish a programme of repairs to bring the grade C and D works and septic tanks back in line with their consenting parameters and/or safety standards. Ensuring all assets are functionally operational and law abiding.
• establish a robust maintenance and inspection schedule in line with regulations.
• review the sewerage charge to both private and housing association dwellings set out in 1999.

The intended outcome of this work is to bring all 13 no. sewage treatment works and 25 no. septic tanks back into working order and adhering to their individual consents, regulations and current legislation, and to recover costs of maintenance by increasing the charge to residents.

Background to the proposal

As part of Local Government Reorganisation Dorset Council inherited 13 sewage treatment works and 25 septic tanks from the former East Dorset District Council. The works are of varying styles and ages serving private residents as well as housing association properties.

Following a recent asset based condition assessment of the 13 no. sewage treatment works it has been identified that seven of the works have exceeded their design life and are underperforming with imminent risk of failure or have already failed. The failure of these systems puts the operator at risk of unlimited fines as pollution risk is heightened and the general binding rules for these structures are breached. Failure also puts the properties served by the treatment works at risk as the system can back up and cause damage. Increased tankering has been put in place to mitigate the effects to the properties currently affected.

A robust inspection and maintenance schedule needs to be established to ensure that Dorset Council as the operator are remaining in-line with current rules and regulations once we have been bought back up to date.

Dorset Council charge residents of the 13no. works a yearly rate, there are varying arrangements in place due to the deeds of individual properties. The general rate for 2021-22 is £250.50, this increases with RPI annually and is paid either annually, biannually or monthly by the resident. Aster property are invoiced an annual sum for all their properties, for 2021-22 this was £25050.00. The invoicing historically had been administered by Stour Valley and Poole Partnership, but this arrangement is due to terminate with all invoicing responsibilities being bought back in-house to Dorset Council.

The current inspection and maintenance of the 13 sewage treatment works costs Dorset Council £92544.60 per annum (excluding any repairs required).

Intelligence and Communication

Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process

Dorset Council commissioned ICA Electrical Services Ltd to carry out an asset-based condition assessment of the 13no. sewage treatment works (STW). The assessment looked at the following criteria,

• visual condition assessment of the STW
• visual operational performance assessment of STW to provide their functional requirement of treating sewage to the required regulatory standards
• electrical survey in the form of Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) against BS7671 wiring regulations
• Snyper survey of 4G phone signal
• effluent sampling and 3^rd part laboratory report.

Following the assessment each asset was graded A-D. Grade A, Good – the asset is performing as intended and operating efficiently. Grade D, Bad – the asset life has expired and/or at serious risk of imminent failure or has failed. Replace urgently.

The survey showed seven grade D, complete failure in need to urgent replacement. Four grade C, major defects and two grade B, satisfactory exhibiting minor defects. Due to the life expiry/underperformance/failure of seven of the thirteen sewage treatment works the Council is at risk of being fined and potentially even prosecuted.

A programme of works is required to replace these failing assets and bring the Council back in line with current guidelines and legislation.

There are currently around 270 properties served by the sewage treatment works and septic tanks. Current income from these properties is about £55k per annum. The current maintenance spend per annum is £92544.60 excluding an repairs or ad hoc maintenance works.

Each household paying on average £250.50 per annum (£4.81 per week or £19.24 per month) which is broadly in line with Wessex Waters standard household sewage charges. In order for the Council, however, to recover its costs it is envisaged that its charges to private households and the housing association will need to increase to £637 per annum (£12.25 per week or £49 per month).

The research/data tells us that Five Ash Sewage Treatment works, Witchampton Downlea, Haythorne, St Mary’s, Woodcutts A & B and Woodlands West are all in urgent need of replacement following failure. With Cashmoor, Hinton Marshall, Horton Heath and Wimborne St Giles showing major defects and failing to meet current British standards.

These will undoubtable require significant repair if not complete replacement in the near future. Several the assets graded C have been graded D on their electrical condition and therefore require urgent repair to meet current electrical standards.

Very recent change to legislation governing Septic Tanks may result in replacement of some of the tanks, but this will require further investigation. Many of the septic tanks are 50+ years old and have potentially exceeded the design life.

The current charge for properties was set in 1999 and leaves a potential shortfall of approximately £117k per annum. The policy aims to put in place actions to mitigate the cost of managing these assets, however an increased charge to the properties will enable the Council to recover some of these costs.

As part of the consultation of the intended fee increase it is necessary to obtain further information regarding the protected characteristics of the residents effected. This will allow us to better understand the likely impacts of the large price increase on the residents.

Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA

Engagement needs to take place with Aster regards the proposed price increase to their residents as they are likely to be the most effected by the change. It is necessary to gain further data on the residents with regards to age, disability, single parent households etc. as these characteristics are likely to affect the magnitude of the impact that the price increase will have.

A cabinet paper setting out these proposed changes is planned to go to cabinet in September 2021.  We have been advised that we should consult on the proposed fee increase before it is proposed to cabinet to allow the impacts to be assessed and presented with the proposal. We have requested the cabinet paper be pushed back to allow time for this consultation to take place.

The consultation will likely take the shape of a digital survey incorporating questions to obtain the required equality and diversity informed. Residents will be notified of this via postal letter.

Further stakeholder engagement will take place when individual treatment works are looked at for repair/replacement. This will involve the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, landowners and residents.

Feedback

We have been advised to consult residents and stakeholders before the paper goes to cabinet to allow the impacts on residents to assessed and presented with the proposed changes so an informed decision can be made. It has been requested that the cabinet paper is pushed back to allow time for consultation, or goes ahead in September minus the fee changes.

Assessment

Impacts of the strategy

Key to effects or impacts 

Positive  - the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups.

Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against

Neutral - no change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups

Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against

Action Plan

Who has agreed this EqIA?

Name Lamorna Taylor

Date (need date)

Equality Lead Bridget Downton

Date (need date)

Equality and Diversity Action Group Chair

Date 

(add in contact details when know)