£2m Warminster project nears completion
An underground water tank has been installed in the town
A £2million project to protect Warminster from the impact of potential water pollution is almost complete, Wessex Water tells us.
It's allowed Weymouth Street to reopen in both directions for traffic after upgrades were made to the sewer network in a public car park.
The project, which has seen an underground storage tank capable of holding over 400,000 litres of excess water from sewers during heavy storms, started last August.
It aims to boost the quality of water in the Were river running through the historical market town.
Work was extended by three months after groundwater filled up the shaft for the tank delayed construction earlier this year.
The tank's role will be crucial in reducing instances of the towns sewer system being overwhelmed by heavy rain, which will also protect properties from flooding.
It will retain the increased water volume from the combined sewer system – a diluted mix of used water from homes and businesses as well as rainwater draining into the pipes – until storms subside before returning it to the system and onwards to a nearby water recycling centre for treatment.
Greg Andrews, Networks Project Manager for YTL Construction, which carried out the work on behalf of Wessex Water, said: “We’re delighted to have completed this important project in Warminster and be able to reopen Weymouth Street fully for local through traffic.
“This was a complex scheme in a sensitive location and our team have worked hard to get it completed as quickly as possible, despite the challenges they have encountered along the way.
“Clearly, the delays were frustrating, but we’d like to thank local customers and road users for their patience, co-operation and understanding while these were overcome, as well as Warminster Town Council and local Wiltshire Council members for their support throughout.
“Our team will remain on site to demobilise equipment, reopen the footpath and reinstate the car park over the next couple of weeks.
“This work was vital towards helping to protect the environment in Warminster and Wessex Water’s progressive push towards preventing the automatic discharge of untreated water.’’