WATER bosses are seeking consent to replace a storage tower after an E.coli alert almost resulted in 6,000 households being told to boil their supplies.

South West Water has applied for planning permission to demolish the existing tower, which was built in the 1930s and is said to be in a poor state of repair.

The proposed new tower at Sway Road, Lymington, would hold enough drinking water to supply the local distribution zone for 24 hours.

A design and access statement that forms of the application cites the "urgent need" to ensure the continuity of water supplies.

Referring to current facility it adds: "The tank is ageing and in a very poor state of repair. A roof structure was reinforced circa 1950s and has started to fail, with distortion and water pooling on the roof creating a water quality risk.

"The tank is currently out of operation due to an E.coli failure linked to the poor condition of the tower.

"The event almost resulted in a boil water notice to 6,000 customers with final arrangements in place before, on the advice of water quality, the event was stood down."

South West Water is hoping to build the proposed new facility by April next year.

The statement says the existing tower is supplied by Ampress Water Treatment Works, supported by the Sway Service Reservoir. It adds: "Replacement of the tower is critical to providing resilience to the local distribution network."

The scheme is outlined in a public notice published by New Forest District Council, which will decide the application.

Other public notices:

  • Southampton City Council is closing Athelstan Road between its junctions with Bitterne Road west and Garfield Road from January 12 (8pm-midnight) for street lining works. The scheme is due to be completed by January 13.
  • Southampton City Council is closing Weston Grove Road from either side of its junction with Glen Road from January 12 (8am-4pm) for carriageway defect repairs. The works are due to be completed by January 13.
  • Southampton City Council is closing Freshfield Road between its junctions with Freshfield Square and Whitelaw Road from January 10 (9am-5pm) for manhole frame and cover repairs. The works are due to be completed by January 11.
  • Southampton City Council is closing Shirley Avenue between its junction with Vincent Road and 80 metres north of its junction with Vincent Road from January 17 (10am-2pm) for manhole frame and cover repairs. The works are due to be completed b January 18.
  • Andrew Philip Toms and David Charles Gristwood, trading as Gristwood and Toms Ltd, of Harris Lane, Shenley, Radlett, Herts, are applying for permission to add an operating centre to keep four goods vehicles at Hampshire Highways Depot, Botley Road, Bishop's Waltham.
  • Robin Paul Hales, trading SRP Hales Business, of Bernard Avenue, Four Marks, Alton, is applying for permission add an operating centre to keep two goods vehicles and two trailers at Midhants Quarry, Calshot Road, Calshot.
  • South West Boat Transport Ltd, of Solent Close, Lymington, is applying for permission to keep an extra two goods vehicles and two trailers at the operating centre at D2 Central Crescent, Marchwood Industrial Park.
  • Cardinal Maritime Ltd, of Leestone Road, Sharston Industrial Area, Manchester, is applying for permission to add an operating centre to keep five goods vehicles and five trailers at DHL Tradeteam, Nutsey Lane, Totton.