Severn Trent is set to start work on a multi-million-pound project which will bring major benefits to the local community in Etruria, Staffordshire.

The water company has announced plans to invest around £20 million to improve the sewage network in Staffordshire, helping to reduce the risk of flooding.

New tanks, which will have the capacity to hold more wastewater from the Etruria area, will be installed as well as upgrading the existing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to screen wastewater to a higher standard.

The project will not only reduce the risk of flooding, but it will also ensure that Etruria’s sewer network is future-proofed for further growth in the area.

Boreholes will be drilled on grassland near Clough Street and Warwick Street this week to assess ground conditions before installing the shaft tank.

Serena Variah, Project Manager at Severn Trent, said: “This is an exciting project which will bring huge benefits to the local community, including future-proofing the sewer network for future generations.

“The first phase will see us carry out investigations on grassland in Etruria to ensure that the ground is suitable to install our tanks. Once that has been determined, we will look to start the next phase of work in the new year.

“This project represents a major investment for the region, reducing the risk of flooding and also upgrading the existing CSOs to remove rags, such as toilet paper, to ensure cleaner water, helping to protect the nearby Fowlea Brook.”

After consulting with the local community via letters and social media, the groundwork investigation is due to start tomorrow and is expected to finish by 19^th September. 

Due to work being carried out on grassland, there is no need for temporary traffic lights. However, there may be an increase in traffic at the beginning and end of the work while contractors are setting up and removing their equipment.