South West Water has completed a number of major works in Dawlish as part of a multi-million pound investment to improve water quality by reducing the use of storm overflows in the area.

Two new storm storage tanks have now been installed which can hold up to 2.2 million litres of stormwater each. The huge tanks will capture excess flows in the sewer network during periods of heavy rainfall and store them until there is capacity in the treatment works for full treatment.

Further work has been completed across the town to help improve the performance of the network, including surface water separation works which will reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer system. A new pump chamber and control systems for the storm tanks have also been installed, along with a new sewer connection.

Work to address groundwater entering existing pipework in Dawlish, which can place additional pressure on the network, has also now been completed. With the main construction phase of the Dawlish project nearing completion, work is now focused on reinstating the sites.

Chris Bradford, South West Water’s Project Manager for Dawlish, said:

“We’re really pleased to have reached these key milestones in Dawlish. Installing the storm tanks and completing the surface water separation and groundwater works are a major step forward in improving the resilience of the local sewer network in Dawlish and will help us to reduce the use of storm overflows in the future. As we move into the final stages of this project, our focus is on reinstating the areas we’ve worked in and ensuring the community can enjoy them again as we head into the summer.”