A £12 million investment by South East Water on the water supply in East Kent is underway.
The project, to lay 16 kilometres of new pipe will increase the flexibility and resilience of the company’s network, enabling it to switch water around more easily when supplies are disrupted.
This is the first phase of a two year programme with 2.7 kilometres of pipe initially being laid in the Doddington area and then a further 5.7 kilometres across the North Downs from our cleaned water reservoirs in Warren Street to Charing.
Matthew Cooper, Project Manager for South East Water, said: “This is an ambitious project for South East Water, and will connect our drinking water storage tank near Warren Street, Maidstone to the one at Potters Corner, Ashford, giving us greater flexibility to move water between the two sites.
“The project was brought forward in response to the issues faced by many of our customers during the peak of the summer season last year, when demand for water was outstripping the rate we could pump cleaned drinking water around our network. This vital work is one of a number of projects we’re undertaking to increase the resilience of our network.”
To prepare for pipework being laid, South East Water has been carrying out a number of surveys and advance clearance of vegetation to ensure there is minimal disruption to the ecology and history of the area.
Matthew continued: “As we are very conscious of the impact of our work could have on the environment fingertip searches have been conducted across the fields where the pipe is due to be laid. We have approval in place with Natural England to make sure any protected species we discover are safely moved from the site to a suitable habitat away from the working area. Nesting birds will be left undisturbed until we’re sure the nests are no longer being used.
“We are working closely with archaeologists as the route also comes close to the ancient Pilgrims’ Way trail. We are expecting to find items of historical importance and have already uncovered remnants of tiles and pieces of pottery which have been sent away for specialist analysis.
“As we’re keen to have as minimal impact on the environment as possible we have solar panels to power our main generator and are enhancing the environment we cross with additional planting when we restore our working areas.”
This first phase of the work will take place until autumn 2023, and although much of the work is in private land, there will be a need to cross roads and public rights of way. While the project does cross the Pilgrims’ Way route, pedestrian access will be maintained along this important right of way at all times. The community can find out further details by visiting southeastwater.co.uk/eastkent.
Matthew explained: “Road closures are always a last resort, but in many cases on this project, we need to cross from one side of the road to the other and so a closure is necessary for the safety of the public and our workforce.
“In all instances, our team will be working as quickly and as safely as possible to reopen road and footpath closures as quickly as possible.”
Phase two, laying pipework from Charing to Potters Corner near Ashford, will begin next year.
Residents can keep updated on the progress of the work, along with any ecological or historical finds, at southeastwater.co.uk/eastkent
Share this Article: