Update on Pop Side Toilet Facilities – Plymouth Match
The Stockport County Supporters’ Co-operative contacted the Club following the Plymouth Argyle fixture on Saturday to raise concerns regarding the Pop Side toilets being out of action.
It was disappointing that supporters experienced further issues with the Pop Side toilet facilities, particularly on what was otherwise a very positive day both on and off the pitch. The Club understands the frustration this caused and appreciates the feedback received.
Background and context
The toilet facilities on the Pop Side operate on a more complex system than a standard gravity-fed setup. Due to the layout of the stadium, waste from this area does not flow downhill into the main sewer. Instead, it must be pumped uphill into the road drainage system.
This added complexity makes the system more vulnerable to faults, and the issue experienced on Saturday was similar to one encountered last season.
Close-season investment
During the close season, the Club made significant investments to prevent a recurrence of previous issues, including:
- Completely rewiring the electrics and float-level controls for the pump
- Installing a bespoke flange connection between the pump and the road drainage pipe
- Purchasing and installing a brand-new pump
Unfortunately, on the morning of the match the new pump suffered an unexpected mechanical failure. While the unit was running, the impeller shaft failed, meaning waste could no longer be transferred into the main drain.
Matchday response
As soon as the issue was identified, action was taken immediately. Portable toilets were arranged, delivered, and installed within a matter of hours.
While this was far from an ideal solution, the Club believes the speed of the response and the ability to maintain facilities for supporters demonstrated a clear commitment to resolving the issue as quickly and effectively as possible.
Next steps
Further measures are now being put in place to ensure this situation does not occur again, recognising that mechanical systems can sometimes fail despite best efforts:
- The faulty pump is being returned and will be replaced
- A second pump has been purchased and will be kept on site as a permanent backup
While this represents another significant cost to the Club, it is considered essential to ensure reliability, particularly given the importance of the Pop Side and Family Stand to the matchday experience.
Communication with supporters
On the day of the game, the Club’s media team sent a tailored communication to supporters in the affected area of the Pop Side.
The Club would like to thank supporters for the patience and understanding shown by the vast majority on the day and is confident that these additional measures will provide a robust long-term solution.