South West Water’s teams have been working for over seven months to install the new sewer, which offers greater resistance to wear, higher pumping capacity, and improved resilience against ground movement. These features will reduce the risk of bursts and provide a reliable wastewater service well into the future.
“This is a big step forward for Exmouth and after months of hard work by our teams I’m really pleased that the new sewer is now providing long-term resilience,” said Jay Harris, Director of Wastewater Operations for Exmouth. “We do not underestimate the disruption that recent issues with the old pipe have caused to local residents. Between this work and other investments we have planned for the area, we’re proud to provide a more reliable and robust service which protects our customers and our environment.”
Alongside planned upgrades to Maer Road Pumping Station and Maer Lane Wastewater Treatment Works, the new sewer will help reduce storm overflow use by increasing the volume of flows that can be pumped to the works for treatment during wet weather.
The new sewer represents the latest chapter in Exmouth’s long history of wastewater improvements, dating back to 1890 when the town’s first storage tanks and pumping station were built at Sheppard’s Row to prevent sewer flooding.
For more information on South West Water’s investment in Exmouth, and to view an animation explaining how the sewer network has evolved, visit southwestwater.co.uk.
