Event information - updated 15 April 2021

Hello,

Here’s everything you need to know about the event.

How to join the live event

The event will be held on Zoom. If you don’t already have Zoom, you’ll need to download the free app or head to their website.

The Zoom link to join the event on Tuesday is:

https://zoom.us/j/5684306794?pwd=aUFydXE5cVVkYVVtV0JxQ3g5aVh1QT09 or you can enter the meeting code: 568 430 6794 and password 1Gq09c

How the event will work

Once you’ve joined the Zoom meeting, you’ll go into the waiting room until the start of the event. To make sure you’re all set up ok, we suggest that you join a few minutes before.

What we’ll talk about

We’ll tell you a little bit more about the history of water hardness in the Saffron Walden area, what's happened over the last few months and what this means for your water supply. We're keen to find out more how water hardness affects you, so we can consider options to deliver a better experience for our customers. Our panel members will be there to answer any questions you may have.

During the event, you'll be able to ask questions using the chat function on Zoom, however please feel free to send us any questions before the event using our online form at affinitywater.co.uk/saffronwalden

Please submit your questions by 12pm Monday 19 April.

Who’ll be at the event?

We’ll have representatives from a range of different teams at Affinity Water. Here’s a little bit more info about each of them:

Joe Brownless - Director of Customer Operations

Joe has over 20 years’ experience and has worked across the financial services, telecoms and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. He has a strong digital change focus and an enduring passion to deliver outstanding service.

Jake Rigg – Director of Communications, Corporate Affairs & Communities

Jake has worked for over 15 years in communications and strategy. After graduating in history from Oxford and then economics at Birkbeck College, London, Jake has worked for JP Morgan, Dupont and LCH Clearnet. He was a speechwriter for the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, for the Deputy Prime Minister and Obama for America.

Phil Adams - Community Operations Business Lead

Phil has been with Affinity Water for over 30 years, his journey began as an apprentice. He has experience in all aspects of water distribution, and management of below and above-ground projects. His current role includes the maintenance and upkeep of the water distribution system, ensuring the water continually flows to all our customers in the region, which includes Saffron Walden.

Alice Elder – Water Quality Strategy Specialist

Alice leads a team of engineers with responsibility for protecting and enhancing water quality. She works closely with colleagues in Production, Water Quality and Customer Experience to deliver the best outcome for our customers. She provides technical analysis of water quality issues, reviews and evaluates and makes recommendations.

Ken Pearman - Regional Head of Production

Ken has spent over 25 years in the water industry all in operational roles. He’s previously worked with Thames Water & Anglian Water and has been with Affinity Water for nearly 7 years. He’s lived in Harlow & Sawbridgeworth in the past and currently lives in Colchester with his wife and sons.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the event.

Kind regards,

Affinity Water

Event Background

Hello,

Firstly, we apologise for the change to the hardness of your water.

You may be aware that in the past we've supplied your area with water that we partially soften during our treatment process. We realise that people in your area care passionately about the hardness of their water, which is why for many years the additional treatment process was in place. However, the specialised equipment we used has now come to the end of its life – this means that you’ll now receive the natural level of hardness that is common to the town and surrounding areas.

Our teams have looked at alternative ways to continue to partially soften your water.  Unfortunately, we’re unable to meet the ongoing additional costs that are required to do this. We provide water to over 3.6 million people across southeast England, an area with naturally occurring hard water, and do not operate additional treatment to soften water anywhere else in our supply area.

We’ve not made this decision lightly. The challenges that climate change, demand for water and a growing population is placing on the whole water industry is immense, and we really do have to make hard choices where investments are made to ensure long-term sustainable and resilient water supplies for our customers, whilst taking care of our environment.

We want to understand the impact of this and what this means to you and your neighbours. We’re holding this online event so that we can listen to you and help answer any questions you may have. We very much hope that you can join us.

We’ll be in touch nearer the time to confirm the details of how to join the online event.

Kind regards,

Affinity Water

Saffron Walden Customer Event