Ground investigations on reservoir site – autumn 2020

Following on from work completed on the reservoir site at the end of 2019, we carried out additional ground investigations in July, August and early September 2020 to help us refine our planning application for the reservoir.

A number of observation pits were excavated to allow our geotechnical engineers to gain further information on the ground conditions. These pits have now been fully reinstated, and the areas seeded.

The timing and approach was agreed with the project’s principal ecologist and avoided key areas of sensitive habitat and woodland.

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What’s happening now

During October and November 2020, we’ll be carrying out some further investigations to learn more about the soil and ground conditions, and make sure we’ve not missed anything underground.

Geophysical surveys – looking at features below the surface

Geophysical surveys allow us to look beneath the surface without breaking the ground. A small van will be following a defined route around the reservoir site to make sure we’ve identified all the features below the surface, for example archaeological features.

The route has been agreed with our ecologist to cause minimal impact to the ecology on the site, and the van will keep to a low speed, similar to a walking pace. Our working hours will be between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Geology surveys – looking at what materials are below the surface

Our contractor Structural Soils will also be carrying out surveys at seven points within the site, to allow us to inspect the different layers of materials below the surface. Using a specialist machine, a long narrow tube is inserted into the ground to create a ‘core’ that allows us to look at and record the different layers. Each core sample takes up to one day to complete and is placed back into the ground once we’ve logged the information.

Our working hours will be between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. The photo shows an example of the machine we’ll be using for this activity:

Questions and answers about the ground investigations

To provide you with more information about our ground investigation work on the reservoir site, we’ve put together some Question and Answers.

If you still have unanswered questions, please get in touch so we can answer your queries and make the information available to others as well. There are a variety of ways you can get in contact, click here for more information.

Why are you doing these surveys?

Following on from work in the summer, during October and November 2020, we’ll be carrying out further site investigations on the land we own, north of Staunton Country Park and next to Havant Thicket, to learn more about the soil and ground conditions on the site to support our proposals for a new reservoir.

The reservoir will provide vital water supplies for the area and the wider South East and provide a new public leisure and wildlife hub for communities in the Havant area.

What’s happening on the Havant Thicket site this autumn?

Throughout October and November 2020, there will be two main activities on the site:

1. A geophysical survey will be carried out to understand if there is anything underground which we haven’t picked up yet, for example archaeological features. This will involve a mini van driving along a specified route around the site. The tracks have been agreed with our ecologist and will be mowed to ensure minimum ecological disturbance. The speed of the van will be restricted to a walking pace.

2. Geological surveys will also be carried out at seven points within the site, to allow us to inspect the different layers of materials below the surface. Using a specialist machine, a long narrow tube is inserted into the ground to create a ‘core’ that allows us to look at and record the different layers. Each core sample takes up to one day to complete and is placed back into the ground once we’ve logged the information.

What is the duration of this work?
We’ll be carrying out surveys on the site during October and November 2020. As this work is weather dependant, the finish date may change. Our working hours are 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Why was this work not completed during the last round of site investigations?
These investigations are different from other work that has been carried out on site before. We’ve been able to use the data gathered previously to focus these latest surveys on areas of the site where we need further information.
Where will the temporary compound be?
There will be a temporary compound on the west side of the site, adjacent to Swanmore Road, that will house machinery, storage, and facilities for our contractors’ personnel on site. This location was chosen due to its proximity to public roads and a water supply and it will be screened by trees from the residential area.
Will there be noise?
The movement and use of the machinery will make some noise – this will not be constant and will be within our working hours of 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. We’ll do all we can to keep noise and disruption to a minimum. There will be a generator in the compound, which will make low level background noise during working hours.
What will I see?

You may notice a small van following a designated route around the site that has been mowed to minimise ecological impact, as well as a small machine that is used to collect the ‘core’ samples.

The temporary site compound, located a short distance from the Swanmore Road access, will be fenced off, but you may notice vehicles and people moving between the compound and working areas.

All our working areas will be fenced off and we ask that you take care around our sites. Anyone working on behalf of our contractors will be wearing hi-visibility jackets along with other protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses and hard hats.

Will there be extra traffic?
The majority of the large equipment will remain on site until the investigation work is complete. Equipment and machinery will arrive via Swanmore Road. There will be a small number of staff travelling to and from the site each day to carry out the work – and they will park in the site compound. There will also be occasional deliveries of supplies/materials and services to maintain the site compound.
Will I still be able to access the site to walk and ride?
The footpaths and public bridleway around the site will remain open. We would just ask everyone to take extra care and keep an eye out for moving machinery and vehicles. It would be a good idea to supervise children and dogs and keep them well away from the working area.
How will this affect the wildlife on site?
Key areas of sensitive habitats will be avoided and areas of woodland are not affected. The grass will be mowed so that equipment can move around on site. The timing and methodology of this has been agreed by the project’s principal ecologist.
Who is carrying out the work?
The work has been commissioned by Portsmouth Water and will be undertaken by Structural Soils. An experienced site agent will be on site at all times and Portsmouth Water staff will be visiting site regularly too.
Will the ground be reinstated once the work is complete?
The ground where the work has taken place will be reinstated as soon as the activities have finished and the equipment has left the site, weather permitting.
Will it be safe on site?
The health and safety of everyone working on the site or walking in the surrounding area is our priority, so we’d urge everyone to take extra care, supervise children and dogs and keep a safe distance from the machinery and the temporary site compounds. When not in use, equipment will be stored in the temporary compound.
Will contractors be keeping social distancing?

We’re working hard to protect our employees and the local community at this time, and our contractors will be adhering to government guidelines on social distancing.

We ask that you also help us by staying a safe distance from those working. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our work, please call us on 023 9249 9888 between 8.30am and 4.30pm.

How can I keep up to date with what is happening?

Regular updates and photographs will be posted on our website and on our reservoir page on Facebook at @HavantReservoir

However, if you’d like to ask any questions you can get in touch in a variety of ways – please click here to find out more.