South West Water is set to begin a new phase of work in Lyme Regis, Dorset, as part of efforts to reduce Lyme Regis storm overflows and improve local water quality. The scheme will remove rainwater from the town’s wastewater network.
The work will take place on Talbot Road, Sidmouth Road, Colway Lane and Clappentail Lane. It forms part of the company’s wider investment programme in the town, which it said is intended to improve water quality in local rivers and the sea.
Why combined sewers put pressure on the network
Like many towns across the UK, parts of Lyme Regis are served by combined sewers, which carry both wastewater and rainwater. During periods of heavy rainfall, the additional volume can increase pressure on the network and reduce the capacity available to carry and treat wastewater.
Storm overflows are designed to discharge excess flows when a network reaches capacity in wet weather. Taking rainwater out of the system is one way of reducing how often they are used.
How the surface water separation works
South West Water’s teams will install new pipework and connect existing road gullies to a new drainage network, so that rainwater is carried away separately from wastewater.
The company said that removing rainwater from the wastewater system will create additional capacity within the network and reduce pressure during wet weather. It said this will help to reduce storm overflows and improve local water quality. Details of the scheme are available on South West Water’s Lyme Regis project page.
New storage tanks to cut Lyme Regis storm overflows
Alongside the surface water separation works, the company is building three new storm storage tanks in the area. These will provide an additional 670,000 litres of storage capacity. South West Water said the tanks will help reduce reliance on storm overflows and support improvements to river and bathing water quality.
H2O Global News has previously reported on South West Water’s plans for new storm tanks in Lyme Regis, as well as the company’s storm overflow upgrades in the Taw Torridge Estuary.
Part of a £760 million regional programme
The wider Lyme Regis programme is due to be completed by March 2027. It forms part of South West Water’s £760 million investment over the next four years to improve water quality across the region. South West Water is part of Pennon Group.
According to the company, this work will see it become the first water company to meet the Government’s target of achieving fewer than 10 spills per overflow, per year, by 2040, a decade ahead of target.
Kakha Tatelishvili, Programme Manager at South West Water, said: “While improvements like these are not always visible once complete, they will play an important role in helping us to build a more resilient network, reduce pressure on the wastewater system and protect water quality in Lyme Regis.”
Working with residents during construction
“We’d like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience while we carry out these works,” Tatelishvili added.
The company said it will work closely with residents, businesses and local stakeholders throughout the project. It added that it will make every effort to minimise disruption while the work is carried out.
Frequently asked questions
What work is South West Water doing in Lyme Regis?
South West Water is beginning a new phase of work to remove rainwater from the wastewater network. Its teams will install new pipework and connect existing road gullies to a new drainage network so rainwater is carried away separately from wastewater.
Which roads in Lyme Regis are affected by the South West Water works?
The work will take place on Talbot Road, Sidmouth Road, Colway Lane and Clappentail Lane.
Why does removing rainwater reduce storm overflows?
Parts of Lyme Regis are served by combined sewers, which carry both wastewater and rainwater. Removing rainwater creates additional capacity in the network and reduces pressure during wet weather, which the company said will help to reduce storm overflows.
How much storm storage is being built in Lyme Regis?
South West Water is building three new storm storage tanks in the area, which will provide an additional 670,000 litres of storage capacity.
When will the Lyme Regis programme be completed?
The wider programme is due to be completed by March 2027. It forms part of South West Water’s £760 million investment over the next four years to improve water quality across the region.
