WELSH Water has started a £15million project to upgrade its Broomy Hill water treatment works in Hereford.

The works, which supplies drinking water to 110,000 people in the city and its surrounds, including Ledbury and Leominster, will be almost completely replaced with the installation of a new plant and equipment.

Lord Burns, the chairman of Welsh Water's parent company Glas Cymru, and Welsh Water managing director Mike Brooker, officially started the project.

The treatment process at Broomy Hill will be improved to enable a greatly increased volume of treated water to be produced, with no increase in the amount of water taken from the River Wye.

The aim is to provide a secure water supply that will satisfy the predicted demands for growth in the area for the next 20 years.

Landmark

Filters will be installed to improve the process and the taste and odour of the treated water.

Lord Burns, said: "This investment will ensure that our customers in Hereford and surrounding areas will have a water supply that is second to none.

"We are also increasing its production capacity for planned growth in the area for many years to come.

All the work will be carried out within the perimeters of the existing water treatment works.

"Broomy Hill's Victorian water tower is one of the city's most visible landmarks and we are ensuring that it will be safeguarded," added Lord Burns.

The project is being designed and constructed by Paterson Candy Ltd and Laing Utilities, members of the Welsh Water's Alliance.

The scheme is due to be completed in the third quarter of 2003, after which the works will be commissioned over the following months.