Sensitive wildlife habitat is being protected by the team replacing more than 3km of water main close to Essex’s Hanningfield Reservoir.
Essex & Suffolk Water is investing £700,000 in the replacement pipeline near West Hanningfield, which starts in land close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that is home to a range of species, including Great Crested Newts.
The team are working closely with the water company’s conservation experts, ensuring the timing, location, and strict operational boundaries all help to protect this vital habitat.
Additional measures include ‘trenchless’ pipelaying, where the team dig pits and feed the pipe under the ground, significantly reducing the need to excavate the land and reducing the impact on roads.
After leaving the woodland area adjacent to the SSSI, the 3.5km pipeline will then follow Middlemead, moving east away from West Hanningfield, with rolling traffic lights allowing for safe working.
Daren Still, Essex & Suffolk Water’s Project Manager, said: “When it comes to renewing our water network, we always take care to plan the work to minimise the impact upon our customers and the environment.
“This is never more the case than at Middlemead, where we are working in land adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This investment will ensure our network continues to serve our customers and is part of a major programme of water mains renewal.
“Over the next year, we will be embarking on the renewal of around 45km of water pipes across our area, and whether it is near a SSSI, near a main road, or outside your house, we will work to find ways to minimise disruption.”