Southern Water: Gel that fixes leaking sewer pipes used in Andover

Southern Water has become the first UK water company to use the new special gel, which fixes leaking sewer pipes.

The gel, called TuboGel is now being used to seal pipes in villages west of Andover. The news comes following previous successful trials in both Alfriston and Firle in Sussex.

The product is made up of two separate liquids which when poured into a pipe together, harden when they combine, solidifying to make an enduring stone seal around the leak.

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It is being used specifically to seal private pipes, which can be a major source of leaks that infiltrate and overwhelm sewers, leading to storm releases.

The technology is being trialled as part of Southern Water’s Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force pathfinder project in the pan parishes in northern Hampshire, which is one of the pathfinders that focus on reducing or slowing the amount of surface water that enters sewers during a storm.

One of the first people to see TuboGel in action was Winchester MP Steve Brine, who saw it in use at the pan parishes near Andover in Hampshire.

Pathfinder lead, Keith Herbert said: “More than 40 per cent of the sewerage network is private and can be in poor condition. It is great to be able to help customers without causing the disruption associated with digging holes and closing roads."

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He said that although it is "early days" in trialling the product" they are so far encouraged with what they're seeing and the "potential benefits" it can bring to tackling unpleasant sewage leaks that are often widely reported in and around Hampshire.

TuboGel has not been used much in the UK but is frequently used in Germany and other European countries. The technique is used for foul sewers only, and not for things like water mains.

To find out more about the product and how it works, residents can visit tubogeluk.com.