WATER bosses are set to replace a storage tower after an E.coli alert almost resulted in 6,000 households being told to boil their supplies.

The 60ft tower at Sway Road, Lymington, is capable of keeping 6,000 homes supplied with water but has been closed since July last year.

Now South West Water has been given planning permission to replace the structure, which dates from the 1930s.

A design and access statement that formed part of the application cited the "urgent need" to ensure the continuity of water supplies.

Referring to current facility it adds: "The tank is ageing and in a very poor state of repair. A roof structure was reinforced circa 1950s and has started to fail, with distortion and water pooling on the roof creating a water quality risk.

"The tank is currently out of operation due to an E.coli failure linked to the poor condition of the tower.

"The event almost resulted in a boil water notice to 6,000 customers with final arrangements in place before, on the advice of water quality, the event was stood down."

South West Water is hoping to install the new tower later this year.

The statement said the existing tower was supplied by Ampress Water Treatment Works, supported by the Sway Service Reservoir. It added: "Replacement of the tower is critical to providing resilience to the local distribution network."

The site is near an ancient monument known as Buckland Rings Fort, which is in a conservation area.

A council report said: "The scheme proposes the replacement of infrastructure that makes a significant contribution to the provision of a consistent and reliable drinking water supply to the

surrounding area.

"In the event of shutdown at the local waste water treatment works, the tower can provide a 24-hour water supply to Lymington. The scheme therefore carries significant social benefits to the wellbeing of a large population."

The report said the new tower would be painted green to help it blend in with surrounding trees.

The structure would be visible from green belt land but not from any public vantage points that were readily accessible.

South West Water said it was "very pleased" to have received consent to replace the tower, which had come to the end of its working life.

A spokesperson said the company would ensure the tower's replacement would be installed in time to meet peak summer demand.