We’re carrying out a multi-million-pound investment to create a more resilient water supply network across East Sussex by increasing or upgrading our infrastructure across the county.
In response to issues experienced in the area in recent years, we are implementing several vital projects to increase the resilience of our water supply network, provide greater flexibility to move water around the network and improve water quality.
The illustrative map on this page shows works underway, as well as a number of projects under development in the early planning stages.
Two key projects started this spring and will run into 2025. These include laying new pipeline to connect our treated drinking water storage tanks in Wadhurst and Rotherfield with our treatment works at Bewl Water, and replacing ageing pipeline between Heathfield, Punnetts Town, Three Cups Corner and Rushlake Green.
Additional and future projects include connecting drinking water storage tanks in Bedgebury and Flimwell, and upgrades to existing infrastructure in the area to increase the amount of water we can treat and pump around the network.
By enhancing the connectivity between service reservoirs with new pipelines across the Rother and Wealden districts and upgrading key sites, we will be creating a more resilient network allowing us to maintain customer supplies more readily during unexpected disruptions.
You can find out more information about each project in East Sussex using the links below. As other projects progress through planning and have confirmed information, they will also be added.
There are also two schemes proposed in West Sussex, including Turners Mill Road and Imberhorne Lane.
Current and scheduled projects
Bewl Water Treatment Works
Upgrading and expanding the site
Treating an additional 17 million litres of water a day
Starting with maintenance and upgrades to the existing site, followed by building a second treatment facility onsite.
Due to start in August 2024
£61 million investment
Hailsham
Improving and upgrading the network
Five projects in and around the area
Laying around 7.6 kilometres of new main
Replacing around 730 metres of main
Due to start in January 2026
More than £7 million investment
Hailsham
We’re planning to invest more than £7 million into upgrading and improving the water supply network in and around Hailsham.
Across five projects in the area, we’ll be laying around 8.5 kilometres of new pipeline. Around 7.6 kilometres will be new additional water mains to help supply more water to the area as the community grows and ensure water pressure is maintained to existing customers. We’ll also be replacing a 730 meter section of burst prone main in Hailsham too.
As well as these projects to add or replace water pipelines, we’ll also be upgrading the pumping station in Amberstone.
The benefits of these works include:
- Increasing the amount of water flowing into the area to maintain supply for existing customers as well as provide supply to new dwellings
- Maintain water pressure for existing customers with more properties drawing water from the network
- Increase our flexibility and connectivity within the network to allow us to respond more quickly and keep water flowing in the event of an unplanned interruption
- Reduce the risk of leaks and bursts
Our projects will take place in:
- Station Road
- Old Road
- Arlington Road East
- Between Amberstone and Windmill Hill
- Private land near Downview Way and the Tesco car park
- Amberstone Pumping Station
Please click on the above projects to find out more details. Some of these are in very early planning stages, and so links will be added as planning progresses and there is confirmed information to share.
Completed projects
Bewl to Rotherfield: Project completed
Improving resilience and flexibility
Laying 17 kilometres of new water main
Prevent the transfer of non-native invasive species, Zebra Mussels, between Bewl and Darwell
Started April 2024
£12 million investment
Heathfield to Rushlake Green: Project Completed
Improving water quality
Replacing 6.5 kilometres of ageing water main
Started Spring 2024
£5.6 million investment
Majority of the work on Battle Road will be under temporary traffic lights
Video updates
Two vital projects in East Sussex, Bewl to Rotherfield and Heathfield to Rushlake Green, have now reached the halfway mark, with more than 11 kilometres of new pipeline laid.
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