Wessex Water engineers in Bristol are working in a greener way to significantly reduce carbon emissions by renovating sewers without the need of excavating large sections of road. 

The pioneering techniques, which are now being used on a regular basis, involves existing ageing sewers being relined with a sock-like material - often without people even knowing work is taking place.  Traditionally, engineers would have to dig up large sections of the highway to carry out repairs.

Julian Britton, sewer rehabilitation manager, said:

"We use a 'cured-in-place pipeline' which allows us to modernise the sewerage network without the need for major excavation, which previously caused disruption for customers and commuters. 

"This technique reduces the amount of construction waste that we would need to transport and tip away."

To date Wessex Water has calculated that approximately 15,000 lorry movements are removed from streets across the area each year and when lining sewers there is an 81% reduction in CO2 emissions in comparison to open cut.

The initiative has also been welcomed by the Bristol 2015 European Green Capital team. 

Andrew Garrad, Chair of Bristol 2015, said:

"It is this kind of innovation that goes a long way in making Bristol a happier, healthy city.  The techniques used by Wessex Water are being shared worldwide and seen as best practice by many countries overseas.”