Cllr Cherry Beath

and the Combe Down Liberal Democrat Team Learn more

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Bath’s Warm Water Spring Repair

by on 16 August, 2011

 Spring repairs aim to keep waters – and visitors – flowing

A precision operation to replace Bath’s “Hetling Spring” Borehole begins next month as part of the Council’s efforts to protect the heritage of the city’s popular thermal water system. This project falls under one of the sections of Cherry’s Portfolio, being to do with Bath Heritage.

Engineers from Wessex Water, working on behalf of the Council, will create a new borehole for the spring to replace the old pipework which is suffering from corrosion. The replacement borehole will drill down from a vault under Hot Bath Street at an angle of 13 degrees in order to intercept the base of the Hetling Spring at 75 metres below street level.

This is a significant piece of precision engineering commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset Council, which means drilling through 80 metres of ground in order to reach the source. This is the first piece of intervention work to be carried out on the hot springs for over a decade but it is necessary for us to maintain the sustainability of the thermal springs system.

The current Hetling borehole casing is made of mild steel which is rotting. We don’t want an unstable source of the thermal waters as it would threaten the whole spring system by affecting the hydraulic pressure that brings the water to the surface. Therefore it’s vitally important that we carry out these works to preserve the springs as an attraction for residents and visitors.

We’re putting the head gear in one of the vaults under the road so we are presently working with a team of archaeologists to explore the foundations of the vaults under controlled conditions. This is part of our commitment to not only protect the source but also to respect the vaults and the overall heritage of the city. 

How the repairs will work:

  • The drilling rig will be set up in Hot Bath Street – set back a reasonable distance from the Hetling Spring to avoid disturbed geological deposits in the spring pipe – and the borehole will be drilled through a pre-formed access hole in the road.
  • Steel casings will be progressively installed and grouted to seal the upper layers.
  • Once the carboniferous limestone aquifer rock is reached, at the base of the Hetling Spring, a plastic pipe will be installed to bring the thermal spring water to the surface.
  • Upon completion of the drilling operation, the rig will be removed and a permanent access cover will be installed in the road above the vault.
  • Following installation of the headplate, twin 100mm ducts will be laid to carry the piping to the existing Hetling borehole control chamber. The existing Hetling Spring Borehole will then be sealed off.

The first phase of the works to install the replacement borehole is expected to take place from 5 September to 15 November and will require the closure of the lower end of Hot Bath Street. Phase two – the installation of the new ducts and sealing the existing borehole – is anticipated to close the upper end of Hot Bath Street from 16 to 24 November.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is endeavouring to keep local businesses around the area in question informed about the traffic situation so that they can prepare alternative arrangements for deliveries from their suppliers.

David Lawrence, the Council’s Divisional Director for Tourism, Leisure & Culture, said: “We are liaising with local traders through the Business Improvement District to explain why we have to carry out the work at Hot Bath Street to ensure that the head gear for the borehole can be placed in solid ground rather than soft sediment, as it is at the moment.

“We are committed to continue consulting with local businesses as we endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum, which is why we have scheduled these essential works to take place after the summer holidays are over and before the Christmas lights are switched on.

“By carrying out the work, Bath & North East Somerset Council is meeting its obligations under the Avon Act 1982 to protect the important source of the water whilst also promoting the use of the spring system and preserving it for future generations.”

For a copy of the Traffic Regulation Order relating to the work needed and how it will affect traffic around the Hot Bath Street area, visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/temporarytrafficorders/hotbathstreet.

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