Potable Water. EA update.

[chrisjordan]

I have heard this from a well placed source...

The EA management has stopped the use of mowers until staff have gone on a course. I can sort of see some sense in this even though it is a box ticking exercise...

But this now extends to hand tools apparently, so are we talking brooms and no sweeping? Hoes and no hoeing weeding? Do check with your local rep for a update.

Oh and in answer to OG, I don't like anyone - keeps it simple.

I'm curious if any of the EA's so-called waterways managers have any real-world experience outside of (mis)management.
Have they ever taken a walk along the river near their ivory tower to witness the jumble of unmanaged and unregistered boats there? Are they really interested in maintaining the beauty of our river, or are they merely sitting in their den dreaming up 'efficient' enhancements aided by other inexperienced 'experts'?

 

[TrueBlue]

I'm curious if any of the EA's so-called waterways managers have any real-world experience outside of (mis)management.
Have they ever taken a walk along the river near their ivory tower to witness the jumble of unmanaged and unregistered boats there? Are they really interested in maintaining the beauty of our river, or are they merely sitting in their den dreaming up 'efficient' enhancements aided by other inexperienced 'experts'?

It's very easy to criticise, to some small extent I feel sorry for EA Thames management as they are between a devil and a hard place -
For why -

• The moorings in question are owned by Reading BC, thus it's in ther court to remove boats if they wish to (Reading BC passed the boat parking element over to a well known parking company who - perhaps - may not be very effective in dealing with the moorings.
• To get a boat removed EA have to jump through loadsa' hoops and processes - which costs time and money (that which they don't have).
• Further up river around Oxford and beyond there are hordes of all manner of boats which Oxford University college(s) seem disinclined to move / whatever.
• Above King's Lock there's a group of boats who - it is said- offer violence if EA launches attempt to control them thus EA now have to bring the police with them. Being a at its base - a civil matter I suspect EA have to pay the police for their 'assistance'.

Doubtless many would agree with me...

 

[Portland Billy]

It's not really a question of who owns the moorings, more of what is the point of Thames registry, boat insurance, and the BSS if it is not enforced.
The situation is worsening year by year.
Someone somewhere must take responsibility to avoid chaos.

 

[boatone]

Someone somewhere must take responsibility to avoid chaos.

That’s the nub of the problem. From the top, Government, in the shape of DEFRA and Environment Minister George Eustace, is ultimately responsible as it provides the lions share of the funding - approx 75% - and is also the authority regarding legislation and Treasury Rules which define what the EA and its employed staff are permitted to do.
Below that comes the EA, an enormous agency of government with a remit ranging from nuclear hazards, flooding, waste management, ecology, sewage and waterway pollution and, a minuscule part, navigation on the EA managed waterways which the Thames, Medway and Great Ouse/Anglian plus some minor waters and, bizarrely the Port of Rye Harbour. As if that isn’t confused enough the”Navigation” brief is split between a National team (4 or 5 people) responsible for strategic issues such as registration and charging which reports upwards to the main EA board Director for Environment and Business.
Operational management, the key day to day functions (I.e. Harbourmaster/Waterways management), report to the respective regional operations directors within which each waterway lies and they report upwards to the main board director forcLocal Operations.
With “Navigation” probably accounting for 1% or less of the total EA budget it amounts to a PITA which creates far too much grief and aggravation aggravation.
The only logical alternative “home” would be the Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT) but that, comes back to a government decision with significant funding implications.
Well, maybe that gives us all something to take our minds off football …..

 

[Scapegoat]

Perhaps Navigation responsibilities should come under Transport, rather than Defra? Too much conflict of interests within the EA. Or the Royal Navy - that might create a better mindset.

 

[boatone]

Perhaps Navigation responsibilities should come under Transport, rather than Defra? Too much conflict of interests within the EA. Or the Royal Navy - that might create a better mindset.

Let your thoughts roam where they may, no-ones listening, although discussions are likely continuing behind the scenes re an ultimate transfer of navigation responsibility to CRT.
The latest incarnation of EA Thames management seem intent on letting boaters know the river isn’t all about us and regard power boaters as rich, privileged users of public assets and services we can well afford to pay for, even though we are far and away the most significant contributor to revenue income.
We should learn plans for new charging plan before 26th July.

 

[Portland Billy]

I accept the fact that I am probably better off and privileged more than most folk.
But I don't see why other river users should blatantly avoid paying their way and nothing is done !
.

 

[penberth3]

Perhaps Navigation responsibilities should come under Transport, rather than Defra? Too much conflict of interests within the EA. Or the Royal Navy - that might create a better mindset.

People might have forgotten, there was a National Rivers Authority. Then the EA was formed, absorbing the NRA, some of the water companies' functions, plus a few other bits and pieces. I assume you're joking when you suggest the RN should be involved?

 

[Barge]

Shiplake Lock - The water point has been "vandalised"...the valve has been removed and i don't have a fitting to go onto it so was unable to get water.

Andy (lockie) reported it yesterday, 29th.

It isn't on the website so i arrived this morning to find i couldn't get water.

It was only a matter of time before this happened to me and i am less than pleased.

Trying to get it reported via the EA is extremely difficult.

 

[Scapegoat]

Shiplake Lock - The water point has been "vandalised"...the valve has been removed and i don't have a fitting to go onto it so was unable to get water.

Andy, reported it yesterday, 29th.

It isn't on the website so i arrived this morning to find i couldn't get water.

It was only a matter of time before this happened to me and i am less than pleased.

Trying to get it reported via the EA is extremely difficult.

Is the Lockkeeper aware? (Assuming there is one).
Suggest emailing to enquiries_THM@environment-agency.gov.uk - at least they will be aware of the problem

 

[Barge]

He is aware and reported it yesterday. I am trying to hasten some response so thanks for the email address.

 

[Scapegoat]

I notice that four pump outs are now out of order with no timescale indicated for three of them for repairs

 

[Parabordi]

Shiplake Lock - The water point has been "vandalised"...the valve has been removed and i don't have a fitting to go onto it so was unable to get water.

Andy (lockie) reported it yesterday, 29th.

It isn't on the website so i arrived this morning to find i couldn't get water.

It was only a matter of time before this happened to me and i am less than pleased.

Trying to get it reported via the EA is extremely difficult.

You dont know when you are well off, get the fitting for next time (the most bog standard you could find)....
I could see this coming, its the only solution when EA just wont listen.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I suspect Thames water over-rides the EA when it comes to public elf.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

As for hose fittings get a bucket and a bilge pump then you can use any tap you like. Buckets always handy, bilge pump always handy no unsightly hoses to store.

Does need a hose on the BP.

Or two buckets and do it manually.

Good exercise and fast. Sorted.

 

[joejo]

Just to advise Shiplake still without the fitting but water comes out of the tap . Cookam just has a sign saying out of order and no tap at all

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Interesting about Cookham I went past yesterday and again today didn't notice the water point was unavailable.

Seems a bit odd as there is plenty of space to wait there if required.
I suppose if the arrow valves thing was removed then it could be an illegal faucet from a technical point of view and the EA could get taken to court if someone died from a terrible bacteria illness after using the faucet.

Odd how the word "covid" clouds the brain so much but there are other things.

Coliform. That's it. Coliform bacteria which is probably quite common in the River.

 

[Mark26]

the EA could get taken to court if someone died from a terrible bacteria illness after using the faucet.

And the many swimmers? ?

 

[Outinthedinghy]

There was a report of a swimmer getting Giardia somewhere down Cookham way.

However they choose to swim so can't really moan.

 

[WoodyP]

It's very easy to criticise, to some small extent I feel sorry for EA Thames management as they are between a devil and a hard place -
For why -

• The moorings in question are owned by Reading BC, thus it's in ther court to remove boats if they wish to (Reading BC passed the boat parking element over to a well known parking company who - perhaps - may not be very effective in dealing with the moorings.
• To get a boat removed EA have to jump through loadsa' hoops and processes - which costs time and money (that which they don't have).
• Further up river around Oxford and beyond there are hordes of all manner of boats which Oxford University college(s) seem disinclined to move / whatever.
• Above King's Lock there's a group of boats who - it is said- offer violence if EA launches attempt to control them thus EA now have to bring the police with them. Being a at its base - a civil matter I suspect EA have to pay the police for their 'assistance'.

Doubtless many would agree with me...

Spot on. What boaters pay in license fees goes nowhere near the costs of maintenance. Do you think that the Canals and rivers trust is any different? They're all you have got, so get used to it, as no-one is going to subsidize your hobby.