South East Water is progressing work on three substantial projects in an extensive £80 million-pound investment in the water network in East Sussex which will improve supply, resilience and quality with new pipework being laid and treatment works upgraded.
With additional schemes also in the planning stages, the total £80 million investment will collectively upgrade and improve the network infrastructure in the county.
Desmond Brown, Head of Engineering at South East Water, said:
“We’re working hard to deliver a wide range of projects to upgrade and improve our infrastructure across East Sussex.
“In the past few years there have been substantial interruptions to our customers’ drinking water supplies which we’re really sorry for.
“Once complete these projects should reduce the likelihood of incidents like this happening again as we’ll be able to treat, pump and supply more water to customers’ taps, as well as move water around our extensive pipeline network more flexibly in times of disruption.
“These projects have taken a great deal of planning to ensure any disruption and environmental impact is kept to a minimum.
“As well as the projects underway, we are also planning to upgrade pumping stations, and lay additional water pipelines.”
Photo: welded pipeline ready to be laid
More details on the projects will be made available as planning progresses and information is confirmed.
The works currently being carried out are:
Bewl Water Treatment Works
A £61 million project is expected to start in August to upgrade the water treatment works on site. The scheme aims to increase the water storage capacity as well as reducing the likelihood of water outages in the East Sussex area.
Bewl Water Treatment Works to Rotherfield pipeline
A £12 million new water main is currently being laid between Bewl Water Treatment Works and drinking water storage tanks in Wadhurst and Rotherfield. The 17-kilometre pipeline will provide greater flexibility to how the company moves water around that area.
Heathfield to Rushlake Green pipeline
A £5.6 million project is underway to replace 6.5 kilometres of water main between Heathfield and Rushlake Green via Punnets Town.