Enhancing water infrastructure in Scotland through Improving Urban Waters programme

As part of the Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA), M Group Water is supporting the Improving Urban Waters (IUW) programme to enhance Scottish Water’s infrastructure.

The IUW programme aims to identify, develop and deliver modifications to sewers that will:

·         Protect and reduce customer impact from sewer flooding risk

·         Improve water quality in our rivers

·         Reduce sewer-related debris entering the environment.

As part of the CWA, our team is playing a vital role, introducing and using innovation to meet the needs of the delivery programme and working collaboratively with its supply chain partners, to make sure the programme has been delivered efficiently. This has included several core design team meetings, two HAZOP1/CSD sessions and two supply chain workshops.

Lord Ancrum’s Wood

The first project at Lord Ancrum’s Wood in Dalkeith, Midlothian, was completed in late November. The team completed the replacement and installation of a new Combined Sewer Outflow (CSO) as well as a new section of sewer within nine months, ahead of schedule.

The installation marked a major milestone in the efforts to enhance the water environment and resilience of the sewer network across Scotland, particularly in the Mary Burn, by preventing items such as wet wipes and other sewage related debris from entering the river.

Working collaboratively on the design, the team were able to make sure construction work was away from the wood itself, minimising the impact on the woodland and the need to remove trees for access.

Chris McLaughlin, Project Manager at CWA, said: “The successful completion of Lord Ancrum’s Wood storm overflow highlights the benefits of agile and collaborative efforts of Scottish Water, M2, Clancy and the Caledonia Water Alliance throughout the design and delivery stages.

“CWA’s site team demonstrated excellent performance, prioritising safety and quality while minimising disruption to the local community, and the valuable lessons learned during delivery will drive efficiencies across future sites.”

Stewarton

At Stewarton in East Ayrshire, our team is working to improve wastewater infrastructure, alleviate flooding and protect the local environment, through a cluster of four projects. During the first project, the team has worked closely with stakeholders and the local community, which included excavating a customer’s garden to install an upsized surface water pipe, along with an outfall to the rear.

After the works, the customer said: “The team has been so quick and efficient, always ready to help or give more information. It’s been less intrusive than we imagined, and they’ve all helped make the project manageable.”

As part of our efforts to keep the community informed, we held two public information events to provide updates.

Ian Darwin, CWA Delivery Manager and IUW Partner Lead, said: “This programme is about making commitments to each other. We’re working for each other in a more grassroots approach, to produce the best end product for Scottish Water, their customers, the community and the environment.”