South East Water (SEW) is carrying out a £1.6 million improvement scheme in Sussex to protect water quality.

The improvement work is taking place at SEWs Shellbrook Water Treatment Works (WTW) near Ardingly Reservoir, in West Sussex.

The scheme, which will take about six months to complete, will see a new GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) plant installed at the water treatment works. The plant, which treats water abstracted from Ardingly Reservoir, will help further improve the overall taste, smell and clarity of tap water.

In tandem with the construction work, South East Water is also refurbishing the site’s existing chemical plant and treatment filters.

Joe Yip, Delivery Manager at South East Water, said:

“Our investment plans at this key water treatment works means that every time our customers turn on their taps, they can be confident their water quality is maintained to very high standards.”

Work will start week commencing 19 July 2010 and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Construction will be during normal weekday working hours and will be entirely self contained within the operational site.

The scheme forms part of South East Water’s £390 million programme from 2010 – 2015 to develop new resources, extend and upgrade treatment works, improve water quality and build new water pipelines.

New water schemes in the pipeline

Water pipes which were first laid in Herne Bay more than 80 years ago are to be replaced as they reach the end of their working life.

South East Water is to carry out a £1 million programme of work to replace 22 of the cast iron water mains at various locations across the town. The pipes are in need of replacement to bring an end to the interruption to drinking water supplies and traffic disruption the sudden bursts are causing.

In total the water company is to renew 5km of water main in Herne Bay over the next year. The new water main is made from modern plastic material which is less prone to bursts.

Graham Webb, Infrastructure Development Manager at South East Water, said:

“Herne Bay really developed as a popular seaside resort during the Victorian and Georgian era. It was at this time that many of the water mains were laid as the town grew.

“They have stood the test of time well, but some of them are now starting to show their age. We have been carefully planning how we can replace these pipes and cause minimal disruption. “

Many of the pipes were made of cast iron, which although a strong material, can corrode over time, especially if they are laid in clay soil like that in Herne Bay. The company aims to start construction on the 14th June 2010 and the main laying work is expected to complete by March 2011.

In July the company will also start work on a new water pipeline scheme in Wokingham to help put an end to burst water mains. South East Water will replace an old 1.2km long section of 3-inch and 8-inch diameter water mains with a new, more robust, pipe. There have been 28 separate bursts in recent years on the existing water mains.

David Brend, Delivery Manager for South East Water, said:

“The existing water mains were laid as far back as 1940 and have done sterling work to serve the area.

“But with an increasing number of bursts they are clearly coming to the end of their working life, so it is vital we act now to ensure our customers’ water supplies are protected.”

The work will start on Friday 23 July with completion due by Monday 6th September 2010.