The water company is planning to double the capacity of its Rapsgate storage reservoir near Cirencester by building a second water tank, known as a cell, on the reservoir which will be capable of holding 500,000 litres of treated water, while its existing cell will continue to hold 670,000 litres.

It is anticipated the project will be finished in April 2012, and that improvements to the reservoir will allow the original reservoir to be drained down and inspected once every ten years without any disruption to service.

Thames Water’s head of capital delivery, Lawrence Gosden, said: “We are required to inspect our reservoirs every ten years so this work is essential as Rapsgate is a critical reservoir and cannot be taken out of service

“Once we have finished this must-do work, there will also be an additional reservoir which will reinforce our supply as it will nearly double the capacity.”

The water in Rapsgate reservoir, which serves homes in Woodmancote, North Cerney and the surrounding villages, is originally sourced from Farmoor Reservoir and is held in the reservoir after it has been cleaned and treated to drinking water standards.

Carys Matthews

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