ENGINEERING work currently happening in Stifford Clays is attracting lot of attention - with a major replacement overground sewer structure being acclaimed almost as a piece of modern art.

Anglian Water is undertaking a £1 million project to reline more than 840m of sewer pipe in Grays, improving the sewer network's resilience and preventing flooding. This work to reline the sewer will ensure that customers can continue to use their taps and flush their toilets without cause for concern afbout safety. 

Engineers will be installing a new robust lining to the inside of more than 840m of sewer pipe using innovative technology, allowing the team to line and seal the existing pipe without needing to dig up the whole road. 

Before they can do that, a temporary above-ground pipe network to take away residents' wastewater has been created and it is a structure that is getting a lot of attention.

Once it is active, engineers will clean the old pipes with high pressure water jets. Next, they will insert a special tube made of fibreglass into the pipe, which has liquid resin between its layers, and use high-pressured jets of air to press the felt tube against the wall of the pipe.

The liquid resin will be turned solid by using Ultraviolet lights, which hardens the fibreglass tube to create a 'pipe within a pipe'. Remote-controlled tools will then be used to cut through the hardened felt pipe, re-opening the connection to local properties.  

This relining will prolong the pipe's life and prevent groundwater infiltration, which can overwhelm the sewer and cause flooding and pollution. This technique removes the need to dig up the road surface, making it less disruptive and more efficient than replacing a pipe. It will also make the repair quicker, reducing its carbon footprint and any impact on the local community.  

Lee Forth, Project Manager, said: "Damaged pipes put the sewer network under a lot of pressure, which can result in burst sewer pipes. If repairs are not made in good time, this can cause a loss of drainage and toilet facilities for customers, as well as risking flooding and pollution in the natural environment. 

"That's why it's really important that we carry out this work to reline the sewer network in Grays. This will prevent any disruption in sewerage services for local customers, as well as protecting local rivers and wildlife by minimising the risk of pollution." 

The resin used to line the pipe can give off a sweet aromatic odour, similar to the smell of some glues. Customers are more likely to notice it in cellars and other lower-level rooms. It's not harmful and won't last long, but householders can get rid of it by opening their doors and windows, flushing their toilets and running their cold taps for a short time.