What we did
The project was designed to ensure improved quality and a more reliable supply for years to come and our seven-figure overhaul got under way in autumn 2023.
We replaced cast-iron mains with plastic pipes to safeguard the reliability of the system and reduce the risk of leaks, pushing back the start to ensure that year’s Devizes Carnival could take place unimpeded.
Teams carried out refits in Sheep Street, Maryport Street, Monday Market Street, Sidmouth Street, Morris Lane, Bridewell Street, Long Street, Hare and Hounds Street and Hilworth Road, the first of a scheduled four-part project.
Phases two and three of the project were then merged, starting at the beginning of March 2024.
In total, more than two kilometres of pipes were replaced throughout the centre of the town, including St Johns Street, St Johns Court, High Street, Wine Street, The Market Place, Station Road and Castle Lane, with 250 service pipes – equating to more than a kilometre –also replaced.
The success of this work meant that further planned phases of the project were not required.
Working with the community
During the course of the project, we worked extensively with local customers, sending thousands of letters about the scheme and holding more than 100 meetings with businesses and bodies, such as the town council. We also hosted community drop-in sessions, including on market days in Devizes, to answer questions about the work.
Our team has also worked closely with Wiltshire Council, Devizes Town Council and business representatives in the town – including the Federation of Small Businesses – to take steps to help reduce the impact of the work on local traders.
This included reducing our operations on Devizes’ important Thursday market days and ensuring the centre of town was clear and accessible for events, such as the Autumn Carnival and Confetti Battle.
To help local businesses in the run-up to the important Christmas 2024 period, we also reordered our work so that shorter elements of the work took place away from the busy shopping areas prior to the festive period to allow their trading to continue without interruption.
Investing in the future
We currently spend more than £8 million a year on replacing ageing water mains which, as well as being prone to leaks, cause quality issues such as discoloured water and poor pressure for customers.
We are also proposing our largest-ever investment in water and sewerage services – more than £4 billion – to improve the health of rivers, reduce pollution and create jobs across the region as part of our business plan for 2025-30, the detail of which is being finalised with industry regulator Ofwat in early 2025.