Four months of roadwork to keep our taps running

New pipe prepares for future growth in town’s population

South East Water is planning to spend up to £425,000 to improve the supply to Maidstone, to keep taps running for the borough’s ever-growing population.

The company currently provides around 63.2 million litres of water a day to the area – equivalent to 111 million pints.

To cater for its increasing population – Maidstone council is planning for 17,600 new homes by 2031 – South East Water is looking to boost provision by laying a new main for 1km towards Maidstone from the Trosley Water Treatment Works.

It said the six-month scheme was necessary to maintain water pressure to homes.

The work started on Monday. Lavenders Road in West Malling will be closed in stages for up to four months before the pipe laying continues across private fields.

A diversion route is in place but access to the Lavenders Care Home will be maintained at all times via a rolling road closure from the bridge over the A228.

Project manager Matthew Cooper said: “The work is essential to ensure the taps in Maidstone keep flowing 24 hours a day.

“We understand roadworks can be frustrating for local residents and motorists but know that the long term benefits of this work will be felt for years to come.”

Within the next few weeks, South East Water will begin a public consultation on its latest draft water resources management plan which will show how it plans to keep water flowing in Maidstone and the company’s wider supply area over the next quarter of a century.

Lee Dance, head of water resources at South East Water, said: “We take forward planning extremely seriously and work with a range of experts to understand changes in population, weather patterns and water availability.

“By looking 25 years into the future we can be sure the work we do now lays the best foundation to keep fresh tap water flowing for future generations.”