News
Latest news from the business
New Milestone at Dhu Loch WTW
March 2024
The new MIEX (Magnetic Ion Exchange) plant at Dhu Loch WTW on the Isle of Bute reached a key project milestone this week with Scottish Water approval being granted to go ahead to Water into Supply (WiS).
The MIEX process has been proven to reduce the natural organic matter content in the raw water that combine with disinfectant by-products resulting in higher levels of THM’s. Lessons Learned from the MIEX plants previously delivered by ESD at Tarbert and Ardrshaig have been implemented at Dhu Loch to minimise the risk of disruption to final commissioning and hand over. Fine raw water filters have been installed to minimise the risk of organic plant material entering the process which caused blockages to contactor vessel inlet distribution pipework at Ardrishaig.
Black Esk and Winterhope WOA Progress
February 2024
At Black Esk, ESD is constructing a new 2 megalitre clean water tank for Scottish Water, based at Southwoodhead Farm near Kirkpatrick Fleming. We are using R H Irving as our main civils sub-contractor to carry out all elements of construction other than M&E. The job is challenging from both a weather and an environmental point of view: being situated at the top of a small hill with open countryside to the Solway Firth means it is very susceptible to wind and we are near Eskdalemuir, so we do suffer from the rain also. The ground consists of heavy red clay which does not settle quickly when mixed with water, so we have installed a large amount of silt ponds and silt fencing and barriers to stop dirty water from leaving site. We are currently chemically treating dirty water under licence from SEPA to allow it to be removed from site in a clean state.
Strategic Board visits Mannofield WTW
February 2024
On 1st February, the team at Mannofield welcomed the ESD Strategic Board to site to see the progress being made to date. Due to the significance of the Mannofield project within the Scottish Water portfolio of projects, everyone was keen to see the project in real time and enjoyed their tour and briefing by the team.
At the Mannofield WTW site, the concrete works for the static mixer chamber were completed at the end of 2023 by sub-contractor, CPR. This consisted of a 13m x 9m x 4m buried chamber RC chamber which will house the new pipe work, valves, flow meters, static mixer and sampling equipment. Challenges faced during its construction included the diversion of existing services and the installation of a cofferdam in very hard ground conditions.
New Wastewater Treatment Works Reaches Milestone
December 2023
A £35 million state-of-the-art wastewater treatment works in Winchburgh has reached a significant milestone. The innovative new works, which is only the second of its kind in Scotland and uses Nereda technology, has now started to receive and treat flows from Winchburgh. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Click here to read Scottish Water's press release.
Water Supply Boost for Loch Ness Communities
ESD has successfully completed work on Scottish Water’s new water treatment works at Invermoriston on the banks of beautiful Loch Ness, transforming the fresh water supply to the Glenmoriston and Fort Augustus communities. Local MSP, Kate Forbes, was on hand on 15th September to unveil a plaque and declare the new plant open.
ESD’s Chief Operating Officer, Wendy Cooper, said: “The scale and complexity of the project to give Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston a single, improved water supply for the future has always been striking. Along the way, our team has had to deal with everything from the challenging ground conditions beneath a 200-year-old wonder of water engineering to a global pandemic.
“The common factor in every stage and every challenge has been the strength of our working relationship with our partners – the local community, landowners and our supply chain. Where we have encountered difficulties, we have been able to work together to find solutions. The outcome is one that everyone who has played a part should feel proud of."
Congratulations to ESD’s Project Manager, Kelton Bennett, Senior Site Manager, Mark MacLennan, and the whole team on a magnificent achievement.
