A £1.3 million Bristol Water project to replace the Axbridge section of a major water main has suffered several setbacks, with the initial date of completion of February revised to September.
The pipeline carries untreated water from Cheddar Reservoir towards Barrow. The work, which will ensure continuity of supply by replacing the deteriorating main, started before Christmas and was originally due to finish at the end of February. In June, the new target to complete the scheme was given as mid-September.
Delays to the scheme have been caused by an unseasonably wet spring and summer, which held up completion of the works by around two months due to extensive flooding.
Bristol Water said that contractors also discovered naturally-occurring hydrogen sulphide, a very poisonous gas, in the peat. This meant a change in working methods and specialist confined space training for the workforce, losing about 1 and a half months.
The most recent delay is due to a technical issue with some of the products used, Bristol Water said. The project has subsequently fallen another six weeks behind.
Most recent work has included the installation of two rhyne crossings and multiple connecting items, plus pressure testing of the pipe itself.
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