WORK to install a new storm tank holding more than half a million litres of water is due to start this month as part of a £100million investment programme.

The storm tank will be installed at Anglian Water’s main water recycling centre in Latchingdon.

The scheme will see a number of additional storm water storage tanks being built across the region to help protect the environment when heavy rain hits.

Drains and sewers take away sewage and rainwater to the nearest water recycling centre where it is cleaned and treated before being returned to the environment.

In extreme weather with lots of rainfall, the sewer network can become overwhelmed with excess water.  

Anglian Water says the storm tank installation at Latchingdon will boost resilience to extreme weather caused by climate change, as well as protecting the environment from flooding and pollution.

When complete, the  new storm tank will be able to hold an additional 538,000 litres of water during extreme weather until it can be treated and safely returned to the environment.

It is hoped the storm tank will help reduce the use of storm overflows, providing additional protection for rivers.

Anglian Water spokesman Regan Harris said: “We know how important rivers and the environment are to our customers and local communities. 

“We are really pleased that this scheme will help protect nearby rivers and increase our resilience to climate change.

“As a result of climate change, we’re seeing more bouts of extreme weather, sudden downpours and rising sea levels, so it's really important that our sites are prepared to process higher volumes of storm water.”

The upgrades take place in April and are planned to be completed by this summer.

All building work will be taking place on site at Latchingdon’s water recycling centre on Maldon Road. 

More information on the project can be found here.