Make the right connection

A free half day event to improve river quality through tackling misconnections is being held on Thursday 25th March at the Julie Rose Stadium.

Misconnections occur when washing machines, dishwashers, baths, showers and even toilets are connected to the surface water drain instead of the foul water drain.

They also occur when roof drains, new buildings or re-guttering are connected by mistake to the foul water system instead of the surface water drain.

This untreated foul water then enters rivers and streams causing pollution which is harming to health and damaging to wildlife.

The collective impact of misconnections in England and Wales is huge. It is equivalent to a sewage discharge from a town the size of Swindon or 16 Olympic sized swimming pools being discharged into our environment every day.

The event begins at 9.30 and finishes at 1pm and is free to attend and is aimed at those involved in housing development, from planning through to occupation.

It is being organised by the Ashford Water Group, a partnership between the Environment Agency, Southern Water Services, South East Water, Ashford’s Future, Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council.

Barry Neaves, Growth Manager for Kent and East Sussex at the Environment Agency, explained: “ConnectRight is a determined effort by a group of organisations to solve a problem that is affecting local communities by spoiling beauty spots and recreation sites, damaging wildlife and causing sewers to flood with terrible consequences for people and neighbourhoods.

“ConnectRight is a campaign to find and remedy misconnections and spread the news that some basic rules can stop misconnections happening in the first place.”

To find out more about Misconnections visit the ConnectRight website. 

To find out more about the event contact Dr Anne Owen.

Media release 0059/10
17/03/2010