Wessex Water has completed a £2.5 million investment to strengthen the drinking water supply network between Melksham and Chippenham in central Wiltshire, improving resilience and water quality for rural communities.
The nine-month project, which began in spring 2025, involved replacing more than two kilometres of ageing water main between Lacock Pumping Station, off Mons Lane, and Bowden reservoir to the east. The scheme forms part of Wessex Water’s wider programme to modernise infrastructure across the region.
Delivered by YTL Construction UK with specialist civil engineering contractor Bartlett, the work follows similar upgrades elsewhere in Wiltshire, including up to £3 million invested around nearby Calne in the past two years.
Wessex Water operates and maintains more than 12,000 kilometres of water mains, supplying over 274 million litres of drinking water each day to around 1.4 million customers across the South West.
Engineering challenges in a sensitive rural setting
The Lacock scheme was carried out largely on private land surrounding the historic village, requiring careful planning to minimise environmental and community impact. Engineers used directional drilling techniques to install pipework beneath the River Avon and a nearby woodland area off Bewley Lane, avoiding disturbance to sensitive habitats.
To protect an archaeologically sensitive site containing an Iron Age hill fort, more than 300 metres of new main was installed using sliplining — a trenchless technique that involves inserting a new pipe within an existing one.
Despite the technical complexity and a period of exceptionally dry weather during summer 2025, the project was completed without interrupting customer water supplies.
Alex Aulds, networks project manager at YTL Construction UK, said: “This important project in Lacock came up against some unique technical and environmental challenges, but we’re proud of the work carried out by ourselves, Wessex Water and Bartlett to help it achieve its goals of an improved and more reliable supply for local customers.
“While the project may have proceeded relatively unnoticed across private land, a lot of planning and effort went in to ensuring the scheme was carried out safely and sensitively, given its rural location.
“The exceptionally dry weather during the summer meant the design and programme had to be adjusted, to ensure customers water supplies were unaffected by the implementation of the scheme.”
Engineering, environmental and archaeological aspects of Wessex Water’s Lacock water supply upgrade in rural Wiltshire.
Protecting heritage and wildlife
Archaeologists were involved during the early stages of construction to support sensitive excavation work. This resulted in the discovery of medieval tiles and pottery dating back to the 13th century, believed to originate from nearby historic kilns and workshops.
Environmental protection measures were also integral to the scheme, with nearly a mile of fencing installed to safeguard Great Crested Newts. Hedgerows and trees will be replanted in the new year, with further reseeding and reinstatement works planned for spring 2026.
Long-term investment in supply resilience
The Lacock upgrade supports Wessex Water’s wider objectives to improve supply resilience and reduce leakage across its network. The company is targeting a 20% reduction in leakage between 2020 and 2030 and repaired more than 15,600 leaks between April 2024 and March 2025 alone.
These initiatives form part of Wessex Water’s £160 million investment programme for the 2025–2030 period. Plans include the development of two new reservoirs in Cheddar and the Mendips in partnership with Bristol Water and South West Water, alongside smart meter rollouts, further leakage reduction measures and enhanced customer support.
