en.Wedoany.com Reported - South West Water has completed the construction of a 100,000-litre stormwater storage tank beneath The Ham in Sidmouth, aimed at reducing storm overflows and protecting local bathing water quality.

Installed beneath The Ham, the tank captures excess water during heavy rainfall and stores it until the treatment plant has sufficient capacity for full treatment. The project aims to reduce the frequency of storm overflows at The Ham and protect the water quality of Sidmouth Town Beach, which has consistently received an "Excellent" bathing water quality rating from the Environment Agency. This is part of South West Water's broader wastewater infrastructure investment plan, following similar projects implemented regionally.

Representatives from South West Water met with Sidmouth Town Council on July 1 to hand back the construction area ahead of the town's annual folk festival and regatta. Additional restoration works and surface water separation projects are planned at The Ham later this year, aimed at reducing the volume of rainwater entering the sewer network.

Chris Bradford, Sidmouth Project Manager, stated that this investment is very important for the local area, and the new storage tank will help reduce storm overflows during heavy rainfall while playing a key role in protecting local bathing water quality. Further works are planned to improve the town's sewer network and reduce overflows. Ben Norris, Framework Director at contractor Network Plus Envolve JV, added that the project has successfully delivered real improvements to local water management and has been awarded South West Water's "Gold Site Pride award," reflecting the collaborative efforts of the site team and supply chain, which enabled this complex project to be completed ahead of schedule.