Water is set to return to Carshalton Ponds over Remembrance weekend, but only temporarily — the problems behind months of water loss at the popular beauty spot remain unresolved.
SES Water has confirmed it is able to put water back into the upper pond after current demand levels meant it could do so without breaching its permit conditions.
The temporary return of water will take place over Remembrance weekend, with Sutton Council describing the move as an “Act of Remembrance”.
However, the council has stressed that the problems surrounding the ponds have not been resolved. Specialists have begun work at the site this week as the council carries out detailed investigations to establish the extent of the damage and leaks.
Months of problems
The latest development follows months of problems at the ponds, despite previous attempts to repair leaks.
In July, the upper pond was drained so contractors could repair a leak near Honeywood Museum, believed to be linked to damage around a gulley allowing water from aquifers to flow into the pond.
But further problems emerged in August, when the council revealed the ponds were continuing to lose water and warned levels could fall “quite significantly”.
SES Water had been providing additional water while the problems were being addressed, before tighter drought restrictions meant it was no longer able to continue topping up the ponds.
The situation worsened in October when the ponds “dramatically” drained, with the council admitting at the time that it did not know why levels had fallen so quickly. It said the withdrawal of SES Water’s top-ups should not itself have caused such a dramatic drop, and specialist advice was being sought to establish the cause.
What happens next
The council says investigations are continuing to provide a “full picture” of where the damage and leaks are before proposals for a long-term solution are drawn up.
Wildlife at the ponds also remains a concern following the prolonged problems with water levels. The council said it continues to monitor the situation alongside local groups including the Swan Sanctuary and remains in regular contact with the Environment Agency over the welfare of fish in the ponds.
It thanked residents for their continued patience while investigations continue.
Why the water company can help now
Water companies operate under permits that limit how much water they can take from rivers and aquifers, particularly during dry periods. When demand is lower, SES Water has headroom under its permit to release water into the upper pond without breaching those conditions.
That is why the refill is only temporary: as demand rises again, the company will not be able to keep topping up the ponds, and the underlying leaks must be fixed before water levels can be held for good.
