Despite the very wet start to the year our construction teams have been working hard to begin pipelaying activities along the pipeline route. We previously posted an update about the progress of topsoil stripping and whilst this continues, we are also starting to put pipe into the ground. This work has started at our Langford WTW, adjacent to the Museum of Power. We recently completed the connection of two of the mains we had previously installed under the River Blackwater and we are now laying away from these towards the Water Treatment works.  In late March we will also being our archaeological mitigation work, having completed the trial trenching last year. The mitigation works will allow the archaeological teams to further understand the history of the area that our pipeline crosses. In total we have 21 areas where the local authorities would like us to complete further investigation work. These range from small area circa 20m in length up to areas that are 500m in length. 

Hi all, Wow this year is moving fast – already in March! And our installations are moving just as quick in your area this week. We thought it might be useful to share some of the great benefits of your future Smart meter. Once your Smart meter is live and connected to our network, you’ll be able to track your water usage, on our app.  You’ll be able to see what you’re using hourly, daily, weekly and monthly. This gives you more control to see what you’re using and make decisions that are right for your family. You could save both water and money by using your Smart meter. It’s a win-win! By saving water, you’ll be helping to protect the environment around you. It will help keep this precious resource available for future generations. We’ll also be able to alert you if we think you have a potential leak in your home. By finding it early, it could help to prevent any costly damage to your home. Don’t forget to visit our Frequently Asked Questions and if you’d like more information on your future Smart meter, feel free to leave a comment below or check out our Smart meter pages at Smart water meters (eswater.co.uk)

Hi all, We're continuing to install boundary boxes and Smart meters in your area this week. Whilst we continue with these installs, we thought it might be great to introduce you to the Smart meters we're fitting. Smart meters work the same as regualr meters in that they monitor the flow of water into your household. But the wonderful thing about Smart meters is that they can transmit readings back to us every 24 hours, without us having to come out and take manual readings. This means that we can provide you with more accurate data on how much water you are using. Our network isn't live yet, but we'll let you know when it is. Below, we have a photo of what your Smart meter will look like once it is fitted.                         Why don’t you download our handy App so you can get to see where you’ll find your usage and handy tips.  Don’t forget you can update all your contact details on your on line account so we can keep you updated when your smart meter is fully smart! To learn more about Smart meters, check out our FAQ page on our website Smart water meter FAQS (eswater.co.uk)  or leave a comment below and someone will get back to you.

FIsh & Eel Pass Progress Update Hi everyone, just a short update this week to let you know that works have slowed again due to the continuing heavy rainfall and the effects of high water in the river. Works had been going well and the concrete installation was almost complete with just one major concrete pour left to go. Unfortunately it’s just not possible to make progress in the current conditions and the portadam has been breached again (see photos). We’re monitoring river and rainfall data looking for the next opportunity to reset and pump out the dam so the remaining concreting can go ahead.

Hi all,  I hope you've all had a wonderful start to the year! We've been a bunch of busy bees and have some exciting news! We've had our first delivery of Smart meters for your area and installation has already begun! This is a really exciting step for us as we move forward with our Smart Suffolk project. We'll let you know when we're ready to install yours. Keep an eye out for a stage three postcard from us, which will contain more information of what you can expect. We are also continuing with our boundary box installations, having completed 578 now. Remember, we update our traffic information page weekly with any upcoming closures that may affect you. If you do have any further questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment below and a member of our team will get back to you.

Work started this week to strip the topsoil along the route of the Layer to Langford Pipeline in anticipation of the pipe deliveries being made to site later in February. The topsoil is stripped by large excavators and/or bulldozers which pile up the topsoil on one side of the working area. When we come to excavate the trenches within which the pipe will be laid, the subsoil will be kept seperate from the topsoil to ensure the land is reinstated in the way it was found. The work has started at the Layer Water Treatment Works end of the pipeline and will move south over the next few months towards the other end of the route at Langford Water Treatment Works. Last week we also completed what is called a 'strategic connection' onto an existing water main. At this strategic connection we will install valves that will help us to divert water into the new pipeline. 

The site flooded again in December pushing progress back a little, but fantastic efforts again by the team in the new year have brought us to the point of completion of the steel framework, ready for a major concrete pour next week. Fingers crossed for good weather for the next few days!

The project has achieved a number of major milestones this year. We have now completed all of the planned road crossings along the route, we have completed the directional drill work beneath the River Blackwater and the Langford Cut, and completed our archaological and ecololgical mitigations. This puts us in a fantastic position to start the pipelaying in early 2024. Below are a few photos of our activities over the last year on the project. 

The challenging weather has had few let ups in recent weeks which has pushed the lower portadam up to and beyond its limits on more than one occasion. The team on site have all worked so hard to achieve whatever progress they can through these very difficult conditions.  It’s remarkable what has been accomplished already given the challenges, and we’re hoping to have another round of concreting completed at the lower end of the structure before the Christmas break.  Let’s hope for some dry and stable weather into the New Year! The attached photographs show the various stages of progress from the last few weeks at each end of the installation, plus a snapshot of the flooded portadam this week.

Fish & Eel Pass Progress Update, October 23 All the excavation works have been completed under a watching brief with a professional archaeologist. The excavation zone adjacent to the weir would in all likelihood have been dug over during the creation of the structure in the mid-20th Century, so as expected, no artifacts of historical interest were discovered. The recent wet weather has provided challenging conditions for the portadam in the pond below the weir, so this week the team have focussed on installing sheet piling at the top end of the fish pass at the upper river where the ground is dry. Next week the lower portadam will be drained again with the aid of a larger pump (powered by a quiet electrical generator) which should enable the lower end piling to commence.

Good afternoon, Hope you’re all having a good week! We’ve updated our traffic information page with upcoming footpath work for the week starting 16/10/2023. Disruption should be minor as we continue installing boundary boxes as part of stage two.

Hi everyone! Just a quick update to say we'll be carrying out more boundary box installations this week starting 09/10/2023. There will be minor disruption to footpaths. You can check our traffic information section for further information as to where we'll be carrying out the work.