New sewer to protect Carterton residents from flooding

Thames Water is installing a new sewer in an Oxfordshire town to help protect homes, businesses and the environment from flooding.

The UK’s biggest water company will be creating the 185 metre-long sewer in Lipscombe Place, Carterton, to safely take away the wastewater of properties in the area.

The six inch-diameter sewer, along with a new storage tank for overflows caused during heavy rainfall, will protect residents, some of whom have been affected by flooding in recent years when the existing sewer was overwhelmed by wet weather.

The £500,000 scheme is due to start on Monday (November 15) and should be finished by early February. A drop-in session for residents was held in the town in September.

Thames Water project manager Neil Strudwick said: “This important project will strengthen the sewer network in Carterton, helping to protect residents from the devastating effects of sewer flooding.

“As we continue to see the effects of climate change and flash flooding become more frequent, it’s vital we play our part in helping to reduce flood risk, alongside partners such as local authorities and the Environment Agency.”

Unprecedented levels of rainfall have hit parts of the country this year, leading to flooded roads and properties and causing the sewer network to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of water. Thames Water is currently working to strengthen the network across London and the Thames Valley to lessen the impact of storms and heavy rainfall.

In Oxfordshire, this includes upgrading sewage works in Oxford, Witney and Faringdon, as well as installing 1,000 metres of leak-proof lining into sewers in Standlake and 280 metres in Tackley to prevent groundwater getting into the system.

The company has also started to roll out 125 extra vehicles to its road fleet to help deal with any issues, and invested in its call centre so customers find it easier to get in touch to report any flooding problems.

Find out more about sewer flooding.