Thames Water has completed two major infrastructure projects in Swindon, with the £78 million investment future-proofing its waste and water network for residents.

The UK’s largest waste and water company has delivered two multi-million-pound projects in Swindon, enabling the company to serve a growing population and build resilience for the years ahead.

In partnership with Kier, the company has built a new 13.7km water transfer pipeline between Faringdon to Blunsdon, which is now supplying high quality drinking water to people across Swindon. Barhale has also laid a new 3.5km large sewage pipe at Haydon End to prevent future bursts and to provide a more reliable service.

 Photo: Kier has now completed the 13.7km Faringdon to Blunsdon water transfer pipeline

In May 2021, the company began work to lay a new water transfer pipeline between Faringdon and Blunsdon, helping to protect future water supply across Swindon. The £59.3 million pipeline was completed in the summer and following careful testing is now in service, providing thousands of local residents with high quality drinking water.

Thames Water committed to the upgrades following several bursts in the Swindon area. The pipeline will significantly reduce leaks and supports the company’s mission to halve leakage by 2050.

In addition, the water transfer pipe will protect local chalk streams and the River Kennet, reducing Thames Water’s reliance on groundwater sources during high demand and drought conditions, benefitting the local environment.

Haydon End sewage pipe

In response to repeat bursts, Thames Water also brought forward work to replace a major sewage pipe at Haydon End, also known as a rising main, with the £19.1 million construction beginning in August 2023. The company has since laid the full 3.5km of its new sewerage rising main ready for the winter, protecting local environment and wildlife.

Esther Sharples, Chief Operating Officer, Thames Water said:

"The completion of both these major upgrades demonstrates our commitment to modernising critical infrastructure across our region and puts us in a stronger position to deliver reliable services to Swindon residents for years to come.

“The investment will also ensure we’re ready for future challenges, including a growing population and increasingly extreme weather patterns, including hotter, drier, summers and wetter winters.”

Commenting on the Faringdon to Blunsdon water transfer pipe, Andy Muncer, Framework Director, Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks said:

"We’re incredibly proud of our role in delivering the Faringdon to Blunsdon water transfer pipeline. This project demonstrates how we’ve used our expertise to overcome complex challenges including tunnelling under existing infrastructure, to deliver a project that will significantly reduce leaks and safeguard supply during periods of high demand and drought."

Barhale also played a strategic role working with Thames Water to rehabilitate its Haydon End rising main, with environmental considerations given to the major project.

Reflecting on the completion of the work, Shane Gorman, Water Director – Southern Region, Barhale, said:

“Thames Water made the construction of the new rising main a top priority. We are pleased that the solution not only out-performs environmental expectations but also is able to meet the significant, and increasing, demands of housing development in Swindon.

“Throughout the project, we carried out careful planning and proactive consultation with the local community and key stakeholders to minimise disruption, working to overcome environmental and infrastructure challenges.”