Two key projects being carried out in East Sussex by South East Water are nearing completion. These improvements provide a much-needed upgrade to the county’s water supply network and will allow the company more flexibility to move water around the area.
Across both projects, the fresh drinking water supplier laid more than 22 kilometres of new pipeline. Both projects started in spring 2024, and this month, work to lay the new pipelines was completed.
The first project, a 17-kilometre stretch from the company’s treatment works at Bewl Water, connected the site to drinking water storage tanks near Wadhurst and Rotherfield.
Matthew Cooper, Project Manager for South East Water, said: “We’re delighted to have laid all the pipe for this milestone project. The work was required for several reasons, including to prevent the transfer of a non-native species between the Bewl and Darwell catchments, as well as providing us with greater ability to move water around our network, which is crucial at times of unexpected interruptions to water supply.
“We still have a little more work to do before the project is fully complete, including testing the new main, relaying soil and planting grass seed in the private land.
“I would like to thank the local communities for their patience while we carried out this vital project.”
The second project was to replace 6.5 kilometres of water main between Heathfield and Rushlake Green, to improve the quality of water being supplied to residents.
Jeremy Dufour, South East Water’s Project Manager for this work, said: “We know the quality of water for residents between Heathfield and Rushlake Green has not been of the standard they should expect, or we wanted to supply. By replacing this stretch of water main mainly along Battle Road, water quality has now improved.
“We know traffic lights and road closures can be frustrating, especially on such a busy stretch of road, so we’re grateful to the residents and motorists for bearing with us. All pipework has now been laid but there are some final stages of work to complete and we'll aim to do these as quickly as possible.”
The two projects are the first of a more than £80 million investment into improving the way water is supplied in East Sussex. Customers can find out more at southeastwater.co.uk/eastsussex
Share this Article: