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Thames Water notified the Club in August that there is a leak in the damn wall about two thirds of the way along the wall to the North of the Club House. Any repairs clearly need the water to be drained down to enable access to the leak and to effect the necessary repairs.
In August TW did not know the level of the leak, only that drain down would be needed to find the level and that the water level would steadily drop until about October in support of the determining works. The contractors have been working since then to find the problem and hence their rib being seen a month or so ago.
Apparently the area of the leak has now been found, so they are on schedule so far and the contractors and TW are working out how to fix it. This isn’t a 5 minute job. Nor is the repair work itself. It is also clear from markings around the concrete edge that additional maintenance work is needed to weathered concrete slabs and it is fairly obvious from the markings this work will take advantage of the low water level.
At present the water level is 16.5m below full. TW only need it to be 14.5m below full in order to do their works and want to fill up that 2m difference. What’s stopping them ? Simple – no rain. There simply isn’t enough run off in the adjacent channel to make up that difference. The same problem applies to all reservoirs in the South East.
The duration of low water and completion of the works is being determined by TW and the contractors at present. There is no definitive answer as at 29/10/09, as they are still working on the remedial plans. However, their feeling at present is that low water, ideally from their perspective being at the 14m level, is likely to last until around March or April. At present they can not be sure as that is the subject of Project Planning work in progress.
I have been assured of two things :-
1 TW want to complete the works and refill the reservoir as soon as possible
2 They will provide us with as regular an update as is meaningful
In the interim, we can only carry on sailing as best we can. As always, if a helm feels that the conditions are not suitable to sail, whatever the reason, then they need to make the decision which assures the safety of themselves and their craft.
Low water seems like an opportunity for low draft boats – and the windsurfers to persuade us all to give it a try. I’m sure additional courses could be arranged, for the right fee ….
See you all at the AGM on 21st November |
