The expansion work being undertaken by Essex & Suffolk Water (part of Northumbrian Water Ltd), is scheduled for completion in 2013. It will see the reservoir’s storage capacity boosted by an additional 58%, from 26,000 megalitres to 41,000 megalitres.

The first stage of the investment programme involved diverting existing utilities near Abberton Reservoir. This work started with the diversion of an existing raw water main. Essex & Suffolk Water awarded GPS the order for polyethylene pipe, which offers less risk of corrosion, high flexibility, fewer joints, lighter weight and no requirement for anchored joints or thrust blocks. Essex & Suffolk Water and GPS worked closely together to minimize their impact on the areas sensitive wildlife habitat, and the small village of Layer de la Haye.

John Lowne from Essex & Suffolk Water said: “We were really pleased with the logistical and technical support provided by GPS PE Pipe Systems, which certainly contributed to the smooth completion of this phase of the project.”