Wessex Water is nearing the completion of a year long £2 million project to build an underground storage tank in Warminster to hold more than 400,000 litres of excess water from sewers during heavy storms.
Work on the scheme was extended by three months, following discussions between Wiltshire Council, Warminster Town Council and Wessex Water, after problems caused by groundwater filling up the shaft for the tank delayed the construction team earlier this year while it was pumped away and a solution was found.
The tank will now play a crucial role in reducing occasions when heavy rain overwhelms the town’s sewer system and causes nearby storm overflows to operate automatically to protect properties from flooding.
It will retain the increased water volume from the combined sewer system until storms subside before returning it to the system and onwards to a nearby water recycling centre for treatment.
Greg Andrews, Networks Project Manager for YTL Construction, which carried out the work on behalf of Wessex Water, said:
“This was a complex scheme in a sensitive location and our team have worked hard to get it completed as quickly as possible, despite the challenges they have encountered along the way.
“Clearly, the delays were frustrating, but we’d like to thank local customers and road users for their patience, co-operation and understanding while these were overcome, as well as Warminster Town Council and local Wiltshire Council members for their support throughout.
“This work was vital towards helping to protect the environment in Warminster and Wessex Water’s progressive push towards preventing the automatic discharge of untreated water.’’
The Warminster project continues Wessex Water’s environmental protection investment throughout Wiltshire, with similar schemes totalling more than £4 million having been completed in Bradford on Avon and Chippenham in the last two years.
The company’s work to progressively and substantially reduce the discharge of untreated wastewater is also growing significantly over the coming years, with plans for 2025-30 outlining a £580 million investment - more than double the 2020-25 figure - to reduce the operation of storm overflows, introducing more nature-based solutions and promoting better rainwater management.
Warminster scheme 1 & 5 – Work on the environmental improvement scheme near the centre of Warminster started last year
Warminster scheme 3 – A deep shaft was sunk within a car park off Weymouth Street to house the 400,000-litre storage tank
In a TV show that will explain the complex journey of the wastewater treatment process, Lakeside Equipment Corporation is set to feature in US Public Television’s All Access program with Andy Garcia.
Environmental Services & Solutions (ESS) Expo, the UK’s largest environmental event, has released the full speaker programme for its 2025 event, which now features seven shows spanning all corners of the environmental sector, under one roof at the NEC Birmingham.
We are exhibiting at WWEM – Water, Wastewater and Environmental Management Expo, which is one of the eight exhibitions taking place at the NEC, Birmingham 17-18 September 2025 as part of ESS Expo 2025. Please come along and visit us at Stand WW-S60.
Publication of the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report, alongside new legislation and updated national standards, marks a major turning point in the wider adoption of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) by water companies and developers, according to Alex Stephenson, director, SuDSPlanter.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video. 
What is to be done about the UK’s failing utilities? Listen to Professor Dieter Helm explore the options to tackle the UK’s failing utilities – Thames Water, the Royal Mail and Network Rail in particular.