Sutton and East Surrey Water is battling to prevent severe flooding forcing it to shut down its water treatment works in Kenley.

The site is currently supplying water to more than 46,000 properties and 116,000 people. The company says that if it does have to shut down water treatment it is planning to supply its customers by re-routing additional supplies from other treatment works.

“It’s touch and go at the moment with each new downpour adding to the possibility of the site being overwhelmed with flood water,” said Richard Rap, Operations Manager, Production.

Kenley treatment works is in a valley and the incessant rainfall has led to severe localised flooding – including from the Bourne, a stream which runs alongside the site but flows only when there is exceptional rainfall.

Sandbag and other defences have been placed around key operating buildings and plant, and pumps have been installed to take water away from the site. Meanwhile, network engineers are checking plans for supplying customers from other treatment works in the event that the site is overwhelmed.

The water company is working closely with the London Borough of Croydon, the London Fire Brigade, and the Environment Agency to ensure flood defence work and efforts to remove the water are coordinated as the inundation is affecting a wide area.

Richard Rap added:

“We are doing all we can to protect our facilities and ensure the continued smooth operation of this vital strategic site. We have teams working 24/7 and they will continue to do so until the danger has passed. But the situation has and can continue to change dramatically at any moment. While we hope for the best we are prepared for the worst.”

Managing Director, Anthony Ferrar described the effort as is a major incident and said if the site is overwhelmed the firm’s overriding concern has to be to ensure the integrity and safety of thewater supply.