Following the operational issues we’ve faced in Exmouth over the last few months, I promised I’d keep you updated as we work to fix the problem, and I’d like to do that again now.

Firstly, I’d like to reiterate how sorry I am for the disruption we’ve caused in Exmouth. I’m pleased to say we are making great progress with our replacement of the section of sewer that runs from Plumb Park housing estate to Maer Lane, just outside the sewage treatment works.

In order to lay this sewer, the wastewater which normally flows through the pipe is being diverted around the new section by roughly 1.5km of temporary overland pipe. Once the new section of sewer is complete and connected to the network, we’ll begin work to remove the temporary pipe and reinstate the fields we are working in.

The new section of pipe will meet the existing sewer on Maer Lane, near Maer Lane Sewage Treatment Works. To make sure this whole area is as resilient to future bursts as possible, we’re also looking to upgrade the small section of sewer from Maer Lane which runs into the treatment works.

It won’t have escaped your attention that we’ve just had the wettest February ever in the South West, with more than twice the average rainfall. This has proved to be incredibly challenging for our teams on the ground in Exmouth and has led to some delays due to the poor ground conditions. While there is a risk we will not be able to fully complete our work by the end of March as originally expected, we’re still working as hard as we can to do so.

I’d like to thank you again for your patience and thank our teams on the ground for doing a great job under really difficult conditions. I’ll continue to provide regular updates as we work to provide better resilience for Exmouth.