A Dwr Cymru Inspector visited site a few weeks ago – at the invitation of a PPAA Committee member – and concluded that there’s a leak of about 1020 litres per hour, from the pipework below ground. (When we last checked, a cubic metre, 1000 litres, cost £1.98. Those fond of arithmetic can work out the annual cost to the council tax payers of Cardiff.)
Under PPAA’s Local Management Agreement, Cardiff Council are responsible for the maintenance of water infrastructure.
It’s an offence for a property owner to allow water to leak to wastage in contravention of the purposes for which it’s supplied, and on that basis Dwr Cymru issued a Notice to the Council, requiring a response within thirty days.
It would appear that the Council have taken action in response to the Notice, and accordingly, today, Martin met the Council’s Project Manager for this matter, along with an experienced water services contractor on site to gather details on the problem.
They apparently accepted Dwr Cymru’s position, and discussions on the best solution were begun. (Our understanding is that this matter has gone beyond Allotments and Parks to Council Board level, and that like consideration is extended to all Cardiff allotment sites with similar problems.)
We can, therefore, reasonably expect significant works before too long, and the need to work around these, but it’s encouraging to see apparently meaningful action being taken at last on this serious issue.
PPA Website Team
Well done Martin for giving up your time to meet up with Dwr Cymru. Onwards and upwards 🙌 👍
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