Barry resident's fury at Welsh Water over Parade Gardens

The residents of Parade Gardens have voiced concerns surrounding the potential leak since February earlier this year.

Concerns were first raised after a resident’s pet dog died after contracting suspected E Coli from foul water in the park.

The meeting was held at 3pm at the site of the affected manhole cover to discuss results conducted from CCTV surveys of the sewer network.Welsh Water representatives and concerned residents (Image: NQ) Two sewage outfalls, a short sea outfall and a long sea outfall, both pass through the Parade Gardens sewage network.

In an email before the meeting a spokesperson for Welsh Water said: “Following extensive investigations of the sewer system in the area around Parade Gardens, Barry, we have identified some equipment that needs upgrading.”

At the meeting the mentioned equipment was revealed.

Welsh Water Newtork Manager Martyn Cannif explained: “We found there was an air pressure relief valve on the system that wasn’t operating.

“When the foul is pumping there should be some pressure relief but because that air valve wasn’t operating correct it’s come back to this.” (This being the site of the manhole).

Dylan Williams customer service representative for Welsh Water said: “It acts almost like a hammer effect because it’s trying to pump forward and it’s pushing back.”

Residents that attended the meeting questioned what Welsh Water were doing to remedy issues surrounding the Parade Garden sewage system.The site of the leak (Image: NQ) Local resident Sue Carrol, whose dog Cleo died of suspected E coli in February, asked what safety measures had been put in place.

Operational Supervisor Leon Jones said: “A temporary air valve has been installed and the more experienced members of the maintenance team, are having a look if they can repair the air valve, and get the parts needed or source a like for like air valve.”

Network Manager Martyn Cannif added: “We made amendments to the cover by putting brackets on which would allow it to raise to allow discharge to relieve the pressure but not fly off.”

Sue Carrol said: “On reflection, I found the meeting far from satisfactory.

"I do not feel there is a sense of urgency from Welsh Water.

"They have not carried out any risk assessment for this issue which has been going on for years.

“They say the problem is due to a faulty air valve that they discovered by accident. It is disappointing that surveys, said to have started in May, did not discover the air valve sooner. And there does not appear to be any plan of action if replacing the valve does not solve the problem.”

Welsh Water were questioned if the discharge from the manhole cover in Parade Gardens was in fact raw sewage.

Welsh Water said the water doesn’t get tested at all sewage pumping stations and that Natural Resources Wales carry out random inspections at pumping stations to test the quality.