A Southern Water programme of sewer sealing in a Hampshire village has reduced the need for tanker trips by 75 per cent.
The water company said the village of St Mary Bourne has suffered persistently from groundwater issues where the water pools up on the surface. It then forces its way into sewers and out through manholes and drains, leading to flood risks.
Historically, the area suffers badly with a build-up of groundwater during the wetter months of the year - when it seeps into the network it can overload the system.
To tackle the problem Southern Water has been sending tankers to the village to safely remove wastewater from local sewers for treatment elsewhere.
To reduce this reliance on tankers, since last summer the company’s teams have sealed nearly 400 metres of sewer pipes and 24 sewer access chambers in St Mary Bourne.
The latest push has taken the total distance of sealed sewers in the village and those that surround it over the past decade or so to almost 15 kilometres. This work has cut the number of tankers routinely used by 75 per cent.
Sewer sealing involves inserting a resin-coated tube into an existing pipe. It is then inflated and cured in place with UV light, creating a strong, seamless lining.
As well as re-lining sewers, sewer sealing can also involve patching small sections of pipework only where it's needed. The technique reinforces ageing or damaged pipes without needing to dig up the roads.
Similar work in the Pan Parishes near Andover in Hampshire has likewise resulted in a major reduction in tanker use.
We shared these results at a customer drop in on Monday 31 March 2025 at St Mary Bourne Village Hall, as part of ongoing efforts to engage and work closely with residents and the parish council.
Programme Manager Floyd Cooper said:
“Tankers are disruptive and expensive, so it’s such good news to see how these targeted sealing interventions have made a real difference so far.
“We know that there is more work to do to help protect this community and others from the impacts of groundwater.”
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