Investigations are now underway by Portsmouth Water to learn more about the ground conditions on the Havant Thicket reservoir site and along the proposed route of the pipeline.

The investigations will help inform the water company’s planning applications for the reservoir and pipeline, which are due to be submitted to Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council in September.

Specialist contractors will be excavating small areas on the reservoir site, which is located between Staunton Country Park and Havant Thicket woodland, over a six week period.

At the same time, Portsmouth Water is also carrying out surveys along the proposed route of the pipeline, which runs from the reservoir site to Bedhampton, to help confirm the location of existing underground pipes and cables.

The water company’scontractors GEOTEC are using hand-held or van-mounted radar equipment in the roads to undertake the surveys.