Affinity Water is set to begin work on a £3 million scheme to build a new pumping station in the Alkham Valley at Lower Standen.

The project will increase security of supply for customers by providing essential back-up facilities should problems occur in the water network.

Construction will start in April and work should be completed by the end of the year, with Barhale as the main contractor.

Senior Project Manager Richard Money said:

“This scheme will further develop our network capability, enabling us to supply customers from a range of different sources. It will allow us to maintain supplies should problems occur at water sources, storage reservoirs or within our distribution network.”

“The pumping station is being built in a rural area and we will ensure that it blends in with its surroundings. The building housing the pumping station is designed to resemble a barn and a linked water storage tank will be sunk into the ground with landscaping and screening to minimise visual impact.”

 Affinity Water’s ecological consultants Cascade Consulting are working with the Kent Downs AONB Unit and the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to ensure careful environmental management of the site.

 The pumping station is being built on the site of a former Water Treatment Works and the foundation slab of the old treatment works will be reused in the new scheme.

The pumping station scheme is part of a £34.5m capital investment programme for the Southeast Region of Affinity Water for the five years to 2015.