South East Water has reported that progress in Maidstone to upgrade an old water main has been slower than expected after large underground concrete blocks and old utility services were discovered this week.
Since work by the water company began in Maidstone two weeks ago 50 metres of pipeline has been installed - 400 metres of water main in total is being upgraded.
Chris Love, Delivery Manager at South East Water, said:
“When upgrading any old water main we check historic utility records for the area and dig special exploratory holes which usually give us a good idea of what it’s like underground.”
“Despite this preparation we can never be one hundred per cent sure of what awaits us. In shopping areas such as this we do expect some surprises and plan for that, but on this occasion the surprises are causing us a few more early problems than anticipated.”
South East Water is concerned that if it continues to uncover concrete blocks and other unknown utilities the work may not be completed on time.
Since 2010 there have been 13 bursts on Week Street and Earl Street’s water mains where the work is now being undertaken causing disruption to businesses and shoppers. The company is now investing £155,000 in two new pipelines to address the problem.
One million litres of water is pumped into Maidstone town centre supplying homes and businesses every single day. Chris Love said that by upgrading the pipelines customers would receive an uninterrupted supply of highly treated water, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The work forms part of the Company’s £390 million AMP5 programme of investment between 2010 and 2015 to improve water supplies to customers.
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