Islanders are being invited to a Southern Water drop-in session in Gurnard, to hear how it plans to reduce storm discharges on the Isle of Wight. 

The event at Gurnard Village Hall, Worsley Road, will give customers a chance to learn more about the Sandown Pathfinder Project. 

It has been set up by the Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force in partnership with Isle of Wight Council, Environment Agency and Island Roads to tackle the use of storm overflows on the Island and surface water flooding.  

The Sandown pathfinder work includes: 

  • Installing thousands of slow-drain water butts to slow the flow of rainfall entering the combined sewer, some of these have already been installed in Havenstreet and there is an ongoing programme in Gurnard 
  • Working with partners to make better use of drainage features including roadside gullies, private water pipes and our own assets 
  • Adding additional treatment capacity to existing drainage infrastructure

Each pathfinder looks at different challenges to overcoming the root causes of storm overflows – primarily rainwater overloading the system or groundwater infiltrations.

Solutions being implemented include designing and building wetlands, installing sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), improving sewer infrastructure and utilising nature-based solutions within communities.   

Pathfinder Lead Keith Herbert said: “There isn’t one single solution that will stop storm overflows.

"Improvements will only be made through collaboration with communities and other organisations."

The event will run from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday, February 1.

Representatives from Southern Water, Environment Agency, Isle of Wight Council, and project contractors and supporters will be in attendance.