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.

Project information

Bewl to Rotherfield

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

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

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

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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