Statement from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water 27 November 2018

RE: Update on RainScape in Llanelli

Teresa O’Neill, Welsh Water’s RainScape project manager;

 “Last month our innovative RainScape works in Llanelli were put to the test with Storm Callum. While it’s too early to say how well our RainScape solutions operated during the heavy rain, what we can confirm is that we haven’t had any reports of flooding from our network in the area which would appear to suggest that our works are having a positive impact on the way the sewers perform. 

“Our RainScape project is now preventing the same amount of rainwater that could fill 600 Olympic-sized swimming pools from entering Llanelli’s sewer network each year. We expect to continue to see this figure to increase until the works are completed by the end of 2020. 

“We recently completed a big part of our works to create a new surface water tunnel between the town centre and Delta Lakes, connected by several tunnel access points.Part of this has involved work on Great Crescent Avenue which had been closed off to traffic.  We’ve temporarily reopened the road until we need to return to complete our work there in February 2019.  We aim to then have that section of work completed during Spring 2019.

“We’re ongoing with our works to put in new pipes and kerb drainage in and around Emma Street. We’ve also completed our works along Hick Street, and are currently working along Firth road and Marsh Street to separate the rain water from the wastewater that comes from inside peoples’ homes.

“We’ve also completed another RainScape project at Dafen Primary school to help tackle sewer flooding in that area by building another RainScape Garden. This will help to remove 450m3 from the sewer network – the equivalent of over 1.4 million cups of tea.

“We’re continuing to work with Carmarthenshire County Council, local residents and businesses to complete our works as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We would like to thank our customers for continuing to bear with us while we carry out this essential work.

“Our work will help to reduce sewer flooding and protect the environment, helping to create a cleaner, greener place to live.

“If our customers have any further queries regarding our RainScape work, they can contact us on 0800 085 3968.”