Visible Change - Keeping Wrexham flowing for the future

We’re investing in the future of Wrexham’s water network to make your supply stronger, more reliable, and ready for the years ahead.

 

Strengthening your water network

Every day, homes, schools and business across your community rely on a safe and reliable water supply.

That's why we're investing in the local water network as part of a wider programme of improvements across Wrexham and the surrounding area - helping to improve efficiency, reduce the risk of bursts and interruptions and strengthen the network for the future. 

What are we doing?

We’re replacing sections of the Wrexham ring main, an essential pipe that helps supply drinking water to more than 23,000 homes and businesses. This work is part of a wider four‑year upgrade project in Wrexham, replacing around 12km of ageing water mains across the area. 

The first phases of work are planned from July this year. 

What to expect during the work

As we carry out this work to improve your water network, we’re going to cause disruption. We will need to dig under streets, close roads and have diversion routes.

We know this is going to be disruptive to many local people - we’re really sorry about this and we’re grateful to you for your patience for the months while we’re here.

Why this work matters

Our commitment

We know that this work could have a significant impact locally, particularly for residents, businesses, schools, bus services and rural communities. Throughout the project, we promise to:

  • Share information clearly and as early as possible
  • Provide regular updates so you know what's happening 
  • Work closely with the Highways Agency, local councillors and partners
  • Maintain your water supply and protect access for homes and businesses
  • Answer questions openly 

This is an important investment in Wrexham’s future, and we’re committed to carrying it out with care, transparency, and respect for your community.

Why are we doing this?

We’re upgrading our network to give you a more reliable water supply. Our existing infrastructure is beginning to show its age, so, by modernising our pipework, we can improve efficiency, increase resilience and secure your water supply for future generations. This means:

  • fewer leaks
  • reduced bursts
  • improved day‑to‑day reliability
  • cut emergency repairs and unexpected interruptions
  • less of us getting in your way. 

 

Why now?

You may be asking, why now? 

More people are relying on the network
Wrexham is growing, and demand for water is increasing.

The climate is changing. Weather is becoming less predictable, putting more pressure on the system.

We need to protect the environment. This investment will help reduce waste and support healthier rivers and ecosystems.

Many pipes in the area are ageing - older infrastructure is more likely to fail. By upgrading now, we can prevent future disruption.

Reliable water for Wrexham’s communities

Visible Change: Wrexham is part of a major, long-term investment programme focused on strengthening the resilience and reliability of the local water network across Wrexham and surrounding communities. The programme forms part of Hafren Dyfrdwy’s wider investment plans to help reduce the risk of future supply interruptions, improve network resilience and support communities for the future.

Frequently asked questions

We’re investing in Wrexham’s water network to make it more reliable for homes and businesses, now and in the future. These improvements will help reduce bursts, improve water pressure, and strengthen the network so it can support local communities for years to come.

Ageing pipes, changing weather and growing demand are putting more pressure on Wrexham’s water network. We’re upgrading key parts of the system to reduce bursts, improve reliability and provide a more dependable service for homes and businesses.

This work is part of our £266 million investment to strengthen services, support communities and help protect the natural environment for the future.

Through Visible Change: Wrexham, we’re making these improvements clearer and easier to understand, so you know what’s happening in your area and what it means for you. We’ll provide regular updates, give as much notice as possible, and make sure support is easy to access if you need it. We know work of this kind can sometimes cause disruption, so we’ll keep you informed throughout and do everything we can to minimise the impact.

We’re upgrading sections of the water network in and around Wrexham, including areas such as Overton, Gresford and Erddig. This includes replacing older pipes with new ones that are designed to provide a more reliable water supply.

Once the work is finished, you should notice fewer bursts and interruptions, more reliable water pressure, a stronger, more resilient network, and a service that is better prepared for future demand.

Work is planned to begin in summer 2026, with improvements carried out in phases across different locations.

Phase

Location / scope

Why this work is needed/summary of work

Current timing

Phase 1

Cinders to Overton

·         £2.66m investment to improve water reliability for 1,100 properties

·         4.3km of ageing water main being replaced between Cinders and Overton

·         New pipework will help reduce bursts, low pressure and interruptions

·         Part of wider plans to cut supply interruptions to 5 minutes by 2030

·         Improving resilience for customers while helping protect the River Dee

from July 2026

 

Phase 2

Gresford Roundabout / A5156 bypass

To address ongoing bursts on ageing main and improve resilience, flow and network performance. Detail needed

TBC

Phase 3

Wrexham ring road

To replace high-risk infrastructure on a strategic section of the network and support future demand in the area. Detail needed

TBC

Phase 4

Erddig Estate / Higher Berse connection

Replacement of a major section of water main supplying a significant number of properties and a key service reservoir. Detail needed.

Completed By March 2029 TBC

We’ll contact affected customers in advance with:

  • Start dates
  • Duration of work
  • Key milestones

If anything changes, we’ll let you know as early as possible.

We’re replacing part of the water network between Cinders and Overton to help improve water reliability for local homes and businesses. This means replacing older pipework with new mains designed to provide a more reliable service in the future. 

Some customers in and around Overton have experienced bursts, temporary interruptions to supply, low pressure and water quality concerns when supplies have had to be switched. Customers told us they wanted something more permanent than ongoing reactive repairs, so this work is designed to reduce those issues and provide a more reliable service for the long term.

Some disruption is unavoidable while we carry out this work safely. Depending on the location, this may include temporary traffic management, road closures or diversions, and changes to access. We’ll always aim to keep disruption to a minimum and maintain access wherever it is safe and practical. 

Some parts of the work need to be carried out in locations where space is limited and where it would not be safe to keep traffic moving as normal while work is taking place. This is to protect the safety of the public and our teams, and to allow the work to be completed as efficiently as possible.

The bridge is due to close from Monday 20th July 2026 and is expected to reopen by Thursday 3rd September 2026. We have worked closely with the highways team to schedule this work during the school summer holidays, helping to minimise disruption for the local community.

We know the condition of the bridge is important to the local community. We’re speaking with Wrexham Council to understand whether any bridge repair work could be carried out while our road closure is already in place. We’re open to supporting this where possible, as long as it can be done safely and without affecting the delivery of our essential water network improvements.

Some works will need to take place during term time due to the scale of the project. Where possible, we will plan activity to reduce impact during peak school travel times.

We know the condition of the bridge is important to the local community. We’re speaking with Wrexham Council to understand whether any bridge repair work could be carried out while our road closure is already in place. We’re open to supporting this where possible, as long as it can be done safely and without affecting the delivery of our essential water network improvements.

Yes—we can provide simple messages for parents, updates you can share through newsletters or apps, and supporting information about routes or closures.

Any traffic management or road closure arrangements are planned as part of the project and put in place only where they are needed for safety and to allow the work to be carried out properly. These arrangements are considered through the relevant highways and permitting requirements. They are not put in place for convenience, and we will always aim to keep disruption as low as possible.

Yes—access will be maintained wherever possible. If temporary changes are needed, we will explain clearly what is happening, give as much notice as possible, and work with you if you have specific needs.

Emergency access, school transport and farm access are all important considerations in the planning of these works. We work with the relevant partners and affected parties to understand local needs and essential journeys in advance, and where temporary changes are needed we will communicate these as clearly and early as possible. If you have a specific concern in any of these areas, please let us know so it can be reviewed.

Local businesses will remain open as usual. We will do everything we can to ensure access is maintained where it is safe and practicable. 

Yes-clear diversion routes and signage will be in place to help customers find their way. Where possible, we’ll also support additional signage to highlight that businesses are open. . 

Yes, you’ll still be able to walk along the A528 to reach The Cross Foxes. Pedestrian access will remain in place during the closure. If you’re cycling, please dismount and walk your bike through the closed section to help keep everyone safe.

In most cases, your water supply will stay on while we work. If we do need to temporarily turn off your water, we’ll let you know in advance wherever possible. 

Yes—your water remains safe to drink. During the works, you may sometimes notice cloudy water or slight changes in taste or pressure, but this is usually temporary. Running your cold tap for a short time can often help, and if you’re concerned, please contact us.

Environmental checks and protections form part of how infrastructure works are planned and delivered. The exact surveys or controls can vary depending on the location and type of work, but the project will be carried out in line with the relevant environmental requirements and site-specific measures. If there are confirmed details for a particular phase, we will share those as part of the local information for that area.

Some hedgerow sections need to be removed to provide safe access for machinery to reach the working areas within the fields. All necessary ecological assessments have been completed in advance. To protect wildlife, particularly nesting birds, ecologists have installed protective netting where required to prevent nesting before works begin, ensuring it is safe to proceed.

Once the works are completed, the hedgerows will be reinstated, and the site will be restored to its original condition.

If you need extra support during the works, please let us know as early as possible. This could include customers with medical needs, mobility issues, caring responsibilities, or anyone who may find disruption harder to manage. We’ll look at individual circumstances carefully and do what we can to support you through the appropriate help available.

We’re here to help. If you have any concerns, please contact us directly and we will log and review your issue. Urgent issues, such as blocked access, will be treated as a priority, and we’ll always aim to resolve problems as quickly as possible.

We are committed to clear, regular communication throughout the work. This includes advance notice before work begins, regular updates during the project, and clear information about any changes. You can follow the latest updates and see what’s coming next at hdcymru.co.uk/visible-Wrexham. 

This investment is about making a real, long-term difference—helping to keep water flowing reliably for your community now and in the future. If you have any questions or need to get in touch, please contact us on 07971 304604 or on communitycomms@hdcyrmu.co.uk

Got a suggestion for a local charity or community initiative we could support? Let us know how we can support.

Stay up to date

We're here to help and we'll keep you updated as the project progresses.

Should you have any questions, please email us using the button below. 

Alternatively, you can visit our contact us page, or call 0800 783 4444 if it's an emergency.