South East Water’s £640,000 scheme to install a new 1.4km water main along Reading Road in Frogmore may overshoot its initial completion date by five months.

Construction was due to be completed by 28th November 2011. However, the water company is continuing to encounter a number of unforeseen issues which have led to a delay in the scheme’s completion.

Graham Webb, South East Water Delivery Manager, said:

“We are unable to put the new water main into service until it has passed a number of stringent tests. Unfortunately during the testing a number of problems have been identified and we are working to rectify those issues as quickly as possible.

“We have used the latest CCTV technology to help identify a number of suspect locations and as a result will continue to test the new water main and where necessary, re-excavate sections of pipework to carry out repairs.

“Following the CCTV investigations and when repairs have been carried out, we aim to complete this scheme by the end of April 2012, however we will set a firm date once we have fully assessed the issues.”

Once complete the new water main, which is 24 inches (609mm) in diameter, will help deliver a more secure, robust water supply to both existing and future customers in the region. The existing small water main is reaching its capacity and will not cope with the expected demand.

To keep up-to-date with the work, the water company is regularly updating a blog which can be accessed at: www.southeastwater.co.uk/readingroad