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'Phase One’ of Newton-on-Trent water works nearing completion.
Work, by Anglian Water, to build the new £44 million reservoir and water treatment works near to Newton-on-Trent is progressing rapidly. Once complete this new source of water will help secure the supplies for predicted growth in Lincoln and the surrounding area.
Construction began in May, after final planning permission was granted by West Lindsey District Council.
Four months later and the site’s huge storage reservoir has now been built. Once full, this raised, 20 acre ‘lake’ will be able to hold almost 300 million litres of water, with 20 million litres being treated and piped to customer’s taps every day.
Work on the bank of the river Trent itself is also progressing quickly. The abstraction tunnel – which will take water direct from the river – has been successfully drilled some 12 metres beneath the ground into the bank of the river. From there water will be pumped through two kilometres of pipe, around an ancient Roman monument and up to the storage reservoir.
Paul Valleley, Director of Water Services for Anglian Water, said: “We’re very pleased with the progress which has been made so far. The site is really starting to take shape and we are on track to have Hall Water Treatment Works up and running in 2014.
“Once finished, the works will help to ensure we’re making the best use of the water we have available in our region and that we’re able to supply water to homes in the fast growing Lincoln area well into the future.”
Construction of the water treatment works itself will take place next year, with preliminary work, such as the buildings and groundwork already underway. The works will make use of cutting edge technologies, including a number of UK firsts, to treat the water to the high standards required.
Paul continued: “Our region is on the frontline of climate change and is also one of the fastest growing. It’s important we act now to safeguard supplies for a future with more people and less rain.
“While big engineering solutions like this new reservoir and treatment works are part of the solution, we all need to think carefully about how we use water. By being a bit more efficient in our water use at home and at work we can all do our bit to make sure that there is enough to go around now and in the future.”