Work to repair burst sewer complete, SWW says

South West Water has completed work to replace a 800m (0.49 mile) section of sewer in Exmouth

Works to replace an 800m (0.49 mile) section of sewer in Exmouth have been completed, South West Water (SWW) has said.

The sewer burst on 30 December and repair works were delayed after the pipework burst four times.

SWW said about £2m was spent on replacing the stretch of pipe running from Plumb Park housing estate to Maer Lane.

It said it had also relined the sewer from Maer Lane into the sewage treatment works by creating a new pipe within the existing one.

'Huge challenge'

John Halsall, SWW's chief operating officer, apologised for the disruption.

“This has been a huge challenge and once again I’d like to reiterate how sorry we are for the disruption it has caused residents and landowners," he said.

To fit the new section of sewer, a 0.9 mile (1.5km) temporary overland pipe was installed to divert wastewater flows around the damaged section of pipe.

SWW is now removing this pipe and its other equipment to restore the area to normal, the utility company said.