New sewer to protect Kingston residents from flooding

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

The UK’s biggest water company will be replacing the 45 metre-long section of the nine-inch diameter sewer in Eden Street to safely take away the wastewater of properties in the area.

The £1.05 million scheme is due to start on Monday (April 4) and should be finished by early July. Engineers will be working on site from 7am to 6.30pm Mondays to Saturdays.

Thames Water project manager Neil Strudwick said: “This important project will strengthen the sewer network in Kingston, 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.”

During the work, the northbound lane of Eden Street will be closed, with some bus services diverted.

Unprecedented levels of rainfall have hit parts of the country over the last 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.

The firm is also using digital technology to create a more intelligent network and enable more proactive maintenance and repair, including trialling the next generation of ‘sewer level monitors’ to reduce pollutions from blockages. These monitors track flow rates in sewers and send alerts if they detect blockages. They have so far been installed in West Ham and Harlesden, as well as Henley in South Oxfordshire.

It recently launched its river health commitments, which includes a 50% reduction in the total annual duration of sewage spills across London and the Thames Valley by 2030, and within that an 80% reduction in sensitive catchments.

Find out more about sewer flooding.