Mapledurham pumpout

TrueBlue

TrueBlue

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Preparing my logistics for a trip upriver to the nice bits, I notice that the above unit is still not working...
It's been at least 18 months since it last worked - and that's a long time to dig a hole and repair a pipe.
I will report it to a Proper Authority as talking to the locals doesn't get me anywhere.

Should I reinstall the lovely kit that I bought from that Nice Mr Coburn many. many years ago and dump it overboard as I'm sure some of the locals do....

"Reading" is really becoming the pits - customer service - hahahahahaha
 
jct1981 said:
I'm sure you know this, but there's a working pump out at Thames & Kennet marina, a couple of locks short of Mapledurham.
Click to expand...

Thank you - that's not the point.
If EA provide a facility (perhaps partly to discourage folks from doing what the shouldn't do...) then it should work. Obviously there will be short term breakdowns - that's expected.
However not fixing problems - especially those of a hygiene nature is not acceptable.
It took a year to fix a problem with Boveney pump out some time ago because of an internal squabble.
If 'we' put up with rotten service - that's what we get.......
 
I am heading off for my two week holiday this saturday, so I need to make a mental note that it isn't working. So between Bray and Abingdon, we have Shiplake, Thames & Kennet marina, Benson marina (£20 charge) & Abingdon lock.
 
thamesS23 said:
I am heading off for my two week holiday this saturday, so I need to make a mental note that it isn't working. So between Bray and Abingdon, we have Shiplake, Thames & Kennet marina, Benson marina (£20 charge) & Abingdon lock.
Click to expand...

Shiplake is fine if somebody's not stopped for lunch or washing their boat with the drinking water hydrant. The flush pipe is a bit short - I repaired that some years ago - I might bring a spare length with me next time.

T&K is manky and awkward to get onto if you have a WSOB

Benson's OK if you can get past all their hire boats moored up

Abingdon's fine but the flush pressure "leaves a lot to be desired". Quite often their tank is full - because folks actually use it

Upstream where most folks fear to tread - they're all quite good....
 
Just in case anyone is remotely interested -
There is some progress (well let's hope so)
All local contact phone numbers have been removed, so I had to ring the national support number - not a problem, but obviously no local knowledge for a quick answer - if one hoped for such.
However a very efficient young lady answered my call and contacted Reading (?) to respond.
Today she emailed me to check for a response - so I rang the lock again
and got the response that a contractor will be visiting the site in early July to give a quote for the repair.

Being a cynic - there's a possibility that a repair could take 'forever', but it would be great if even a temporary could be effected this season?? No poo has gone down the pipe for more than two years - thus surely no H&S issues -
  • dig a trench,
  • replace broken pipes,
  • backfill,
  • test,
  • finish,
  • switch on power
  • Pump Poo
  • fill in paperwork
Result happy customer(s)
 
TrueBlue said:
Just in case anyone is remotely interested -
There is some progress (well let's hope so)
All local contact phone numbers have been removed, so I had to ring the national support number - not a problem, but obviously no local knowledge for a quick answer - if one hoped for such.
However a very efficient young lady answered my call and contacted Reading (?) to respond.
Today she emailed me to check for a response - so I rang the lock again
and got the response that a contractor will be visiting the site in early July to give a quote for the repair.

Being a cynic - there's a possibility that a repair could take 'forever', but it would be great if even a temporary could be effected this season?? No poo has gone down the pipe for more than two years - thus surely no H&S issues -
  • dig a trench,
  • replace broken pipes,
  • backfill,
  • test,
  • finish,
  • switch on power
  • Pump Poo
  • fill in paperwork
Result happy customer(s)
Click to expand...

You need to factor in the point that the EA is interested in process, not outcomes.
 
Do believe the programme did suggest that it was checking for pee and poo quanties as well as water flows.
Perhaps the rest of us were watching something else altogether.
 
oldgit said:
Do believe the programme did suggest that it was checking for pee and poo quanties as well as water flows.
Perhaps the rest of us were watching something else altogether.
Click to expand...

No, indeed 'we' (me and 'er upstairs) are avid watchers of any program to do with Our River including Mr. Robinson.

However, monitoring how much and what sort of excrement is contained in the flow doesn't point to who dunnit on a boat. It matters not to me that potentially the largest volume is likely to be from the water undertaking companies. It should not be used by boaters whether static or mobile as an excuse not to bother to use those few facilities that EA and others provide for a fee....
 
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