Progress on water treatment works
Work is ongoing on the first phase of a £14million project by South East Water to upgrade the College Avenue Water Treatment Works.
The work at the pump station looks to further improve water quality to around 60,000 people in Maidenhead.
It is part of a five-year £489million investment programme by the water company to boost its infrastructure.
As part of the upgrade, various new tanks and a UV plant are being added to aid in maintaining and improving the quality of drinking water for customers in the Maidenhead area.
The first phase of the work is due to be finished by the autumn, with a planning decision due to be taken soon on the second phase.
The second phase includes a new building and kiosk to house the new treatment processes.
The second phase works caused some concern among residents in the area earlier this year, with neighbours not keen on the idea and objections being logged on the planning application to the Royal Borough.
Residents cited concerns over the ‘significant increase’ in size and height to the existing pumping station, and the storing of hazardous chemicals at the site.
A spokesperson said at the time that the ‘highest safety standards for storage and use of chemicals’ are adhered to, and that issues including height, noise levels and visual impact have been considered as part of the design process, and South East Water have ‘looked to mitigate this as far as possible’.
A final decision is yet to be made on the application.
Steve Ntifo, South East Water’s project manager, said: “This is an important strategic site, treating and distributing more than 20 million litres of top quality drinking water a day to almost 25,000 properties and around 60,000 people in the Maidenhead area.
“The first phase of the project is progressing, with piling and concrete works now completed for the underground tank and related pipework.
“As this water treatment site is a key part of the community, we have been meeting with residents to understand their concerns and find solutions which achieve both the regulatory water quality improvements we must make, but are sympathetic to the local community and area.
“We want to continue to work with the residents to provide the best possible outcome and deliver this important project to help future-proof our network.”