Southern Water is getting ready to start a major lead pipe replacement scheme in Deal to improve water quality for households - if the trial is successful, the water company will scope to undertake similar schemes in other areas where higher levels of lead in the network is predicted.
Preparations are underway to begin work in to renew a number of ageing water mains across the town. The work, starting on July 11, will future-proof water supplies by replacing pipes that are reaching the end of their working life.
The water company said the replacement scheme also presents a great opportunity to identify and remove any risk of lead in the network. Most water mains themselves are made of cast iron, ductile iron or polyethylene. However, there may be lead fittings or pipes between the main and the properties. Exposure to lead can be harmful to health and the utility is committed to keeping lead levels in drinking water low.
Kevin Fausset, Senior Project Manager for Southern Water, said:
“This project is great news for the people of Deal, because it’s more than just the replacement of water mains. While undertaking this work we will be proactively searching for and removing old lead elements within the network.
“We will be replacing the water mains along with any ‘communication’ pipes which run from the water main up to the boundary of a property that are lead based. In addition, while we’re doing the work, if we find that a customer’s ‘supply’ pipe contains lead then we can replace this free of charge as well if they’d like us to. This is normally the responsibility of the property owner.
Guy Franklin, Head of Water Quality Compliance, Southern Water, added:
“Deal is a historic town and with large numbers of properties built pre 1970 we know that it is likely that there is lead present – especially customers’ supply pipes.
“Stringent procedures are standard practice across the UK and are undertaken by all water companies to minimise impact of lead pipe work on water quality. However, this opportunity to remove lead from supply is not one that should be overlooked.”
Southern Water and Clancy Docwra will be working together on the scheme which will take place over 24 months.
The project is a trial and if it is successful,
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