WELSH Water has just spent £1 million to provide top quality drinking water in the Sellack area of south Herefordshire.

The improvement scheme started last August and involved refurbishing about 14 miles of mains, mostly in roads in the rural district.

Now the water company has thanked all customers, together with Herefordshire Council, for their patience while the work was carried out.

Welsh Water said the completed scheme would not only ensure better quality water but also improve the reliability of supply for the local community.

Welsh Water liaised with the council in preparing for the scheme and all those people affected were invited to attend a public exhibition explaining the work, as well as being given information packs on how it would impact on them.

The company's investment manager, Andrew Swift, said: "This was an essential investment to upgrade part of the water network system in the area and to help us deliver excellent quality drinking water to our customers.

"On behalf of those who worked on the project, I would like to thank the local community for their patience and bearing with us while this essential work was carried out,''

The Sellack scheme was delivered by Laing Utilities working with United Utilities, ChandlerKBS and other partners carrying out the water mains refurbishment programme on behalf of Welsh Water.

The company plans to invest £1.2 billion in its water and sewerage network between 2000 and 2005.