Wandsworth gets new water mains

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Thames Water is replacing the ageing water mains which have been causing leaks and bursts in Wandsworth.

Work is about to start on replacing the ageing water mains which have been causing leaks and bursts in Wandsworth.


The mains, many of which were first installed during the reign of Queen Victoria, are being renewed in a £14 million scheme. Work will begin on 5 March and is expected to be completed by the end of August 2008.

The work will take place in the area roughly bounded by the A3 to the North, Wandsworth Common to the East, Burntwood Lane to the South and Garratt Lane to the West. The postcode areas affected are SW11, SW17, SW18 and SW19.

Thames Water's project manager Mark Reed said:
"We will be replacing the ageing cast iron mains with new plastic ones which are more durable and flexible. Since 2002, we have replaced 400 miles of mains in London. This is enough to stretch from the capital to Aberdeen.

"Wandsworth has some of the oldest, leakiest and most burst-prone pipes in London. We appreciate that work on this scale will inevitably cause some disruption and inconvenience, but the benefits will be felt for years to come and we don't expect to have to return to deal with burst pipes or leaking mains in the future.

"We will minimise disruption where possible by using the latest
construction techniques which in many places will avoid the need to dig long trenches. We will also be working closely with the Wandsworth Council to reduce the impact on traffic.

"The work will also reduce the amount of water which leaks from our pipework, which is particularly important at a time when water resources are being put under increasing pressure from climate change, population growth and the rising demand for water."

February 26, 2007