Huge £2m tank aims to reduce sewage overflow

The tank will be installed on Weymouth Street in Warminster

Almost £2m is being invested to reduce the amount of sewage that flows into a town's rivers during heavy rain.

Construction teams will move on to land next to Warminster's Weymouth Street in August to install a storage tank capable of holding more than 400,000 litres of excess water from sewers.

Wessex Water's tank will retain the water until rain subsides and it can be returned to the system and into a water recycling centre.

Project manager, Greg Andrews, said: "It will dramatically reduce the impact heavy storms have on overwhelming the sewer system."

A similar scheme in Bradford-on-Avon was completed in April

The project, due to be completed by March 2025, will involve the tank being placed below ground in a car park towards the north end of Weymouth Street.

A northbound single lane closure will be in operation at the Morrisons petrol station roundabout.

“By holding this excess mix of water back, the tank can reduce incidents of a nearby storm overflow operating automatically," added Mr Andrews.

Residents can hear more about the project during a community drop-in session at Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, on 6 June, from 14:00-17:00 BST.

The Warminster project follows a similar scheme in Bradford-on-Avon, which was completed last month.

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