PR1782

29th October 2007

New water mains Harpenden

Work to replace ageing water mains that are at risk of bursting is soon to begin in Lea Road, Harpenden week commencing 12 th November 2007 and could take 6 months to complete.

Three Valleys Water is investing £650,000 to upgrade the network of underground water mains which carry vital supplies of tap water each day to homes, businesses and schools in Roundwood and Westfield Road in Harpenden .

Most of the existing water mains were laid 90 years ago and although they have given many years of service they are reaching the end of their useful lives. The majority of these pipes are cast iron and some sections have corroded and begun to weaken, which has made them vulnerable to leaks and bursts. Between 1999 and 2004 the sections of pipes identified for replacement in this area burst 21 times and unless they are replaced, computer modelling has shown that there will be at least a further 11 bursts before 2010. By replacing targeted sections of the water mains network, Three Valleys Water hopes to the inconvenience caused by burst mains and ensure that they can continue to supply tap water to local people.

The first phase of the work, being carried out by M Holleran Ltd, Three Valleys Water’s contractor starts in mid November and will affect parts of the following streets: Lea Road, Lindley Close, Willoughby Road, Westfield Road, Masefield Road, Dell Close, Westfield Avenue. The second phase of the scheme which starts later will affect parts of these streets: Roundwood Lane (between Ashely Gardens and Woodend Road), Haslingden Close, Ashley Gardens, Yeomans Avenue (from the junction with Ashley Gardens along to Wood End Hill), Wood End Hill, Ridgewood Drive, Tuffnells Way.

Andy Smith, Managing Director of Three Valleys Water, said: “This water mains renewal scheme in Harpenden is part of a much larger investment programme to maintain and renew our underground pipe network to provide a reliable water supply to our customers. Without this investment the mains would continue to deteriorate, causing bursts, leaks and disruption to the local community. We are working closely with Hertfordshire County Council Highways Authority to try to keep traffic disruption to a minimum.”

All residents affected by this scheme will be contacted by Three Valleys Water in advance of work in their street and throughout the scheme. Vulnerable and elderly customers are also being encouraged to notify the company of their special needs by registering on our Safeguard scheme by applying online or contacting the call centre on 0845 782 3333. Residents and road users will be notified of any traffic management arrangements in due course.

Three Valleys Water would like to remind customers in the area to be aware of Bogus Callers claiming to be from the water company during this time. The company operates strict rules about employees wearing clearly recognisable uniforms and presenting identity cards when they call.

Ends

For further information please contact Public Relations, tel: 01707 277110, fax: 01707 277213, website: www.3valleys.co.uk

Note to Editors:

About us
Three Valleys Water has been supplying water to the local community for more than 130 years and is committed to delivering a high quality water service to all its customers . It now provides over 870 million litres of water each day to three million customers, in parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, the London Boroughs of Harrow and Hillingdon and parts of the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, and Enfield. The supply area covers a total of 3,700 square kilometres, stretching from Luton and Royston in the north to Guildford in the south, and from Berkhamsted in the west to Dunmow in the east.

Three Valleys Water is the UK’s largest water supply only company and is part of Veolia Water, the world leader in water and wastewater management. If you spot a leak call the Leakspotters hotline on 0800 376 5325 or use our online leakage form