Southern Water Apologise For Burst Wastewater Main In Lancing

Tuesday, 5 July 2022 07:38

By Jade McLean

Southern Water have apologised for the burst wastewater main in West Way, Lancing - it's the sixth time it has burst in the past nine months.

Residents have become increasingly frustrated by the disruption, not to mention the smell, of the regular burst pipes that they say have blighted their area since October 2021.

Southern Water say the 2km stretch of pipe has now burst in three different places but hasn't been replaced as it runs directly under the road in and out of the West Beach estate.

They say this is the reason why "lining is a better, quicker, and less disruptive option than digging up and replacing the pipeline in full".

In a statement on their website, the water company said:

"We completely understand the distress felt by the residents who are yet again affected by flooding in their road. This is particularly frustrating as we were just days away from undertaking a re-lining scheme to future proof the pipe.

"Our priority is now to stop the spill by using tankers to take on the flow of wastewater – the tankers carry out crucial work meaning that many nearby homes can continue to use their kitchens and bathrooms as normal. Once they are in place the pumping stations serving the pipe can be switched off and we will start clearing up.

"To allow all this work to happen there will be traffic management in place on the A259. This allows work to be undertaken safely without a complete road closure. The A259 is a busy route, and we are also sorry to all road users that will be impacted by this."

Southern Water say the cause of the burst previously was due to high pressure on an old pipe corroded from the outside by salt water.

However, this most recent burst, they say, could have been another utility company working and digging in the area.

Sewage from the privately maintained estate is removed by Southern Water, however, the surface water drainage system is not.

Residents received a letter/email around June 29 confirming start of works mid-July.