Black & Veatch has been selected by Sutton and East Surrey Water to undertake the second phase of a major refurbishment programme at its Bough Beech water treatment works (WTW) in Kent.

Engineering work started in September on a £13 million project to significantly increase treatment capacity and ensure long-term security of water supply for some of the utility’s 650,000 domestic and commercial customers. As principal contractor, Black & Veatch is responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the refurbishment project that will be carried out during a two-year programme.

Bough Beech Reservoir

The work forms a major part of Sutton & East Surrey’s £95 million investment during the next five years to secure and improve its operational network and water resources and improve its services to customers. The WTW’s treatment capacity will be increased from 45 million litres a day (Ml/d) to 50 Ml/d and be able to support a peak output of 70 Ml/d when all future phases of the scheme are complete. The increased output will ensure the works continues to meet average and peak demands for high quality drinking water for both existing and new customers.

Peter Isherwood, Project Manager for Sutton and East Surrey Water, stated that he was “delighted the Bough Beech contract had been awarded to Black & Veatch, a locally represented company that possessed all the skills necessary to successfully deliver the project to the highest of standards.”

The Bough Beech project was awarded following a competitive tendering process. Black & Veatch said that its ability to draw upon its fully integrated design and construction capability meant the company was in the unique position of being able to bid for the work as a single entity rather than through joint venture.

Phase 2 of the refurbishment works comprises new rapid gravity filters to treat 70 Ml/d, additional granular activated carbon filters, upgrade of trihalomethane removal plant, and sludge handling plant including sludge thickeners and sludge dewatering press. In addition, a power generating plant and new high lift pumps may be added to the project by the client.

Mike Lynch, Contract Manager for Black & Veatch, commented:

“We will utilise our full range of technical services and apply our prior knowledge and experience of the site to deliver the high level of quality and service expected from us by our client and its customers.”

Sutton and East Surrey Water supplies a largely rural area of 834 square kilometres (km2), with a population of approximately 650,000 people. Eighty-five percent of Sutton and East Surrey Water’s water supply is derived from groundwater sources, with the remainder drawn from the impounding reservoir at Bough Beech. Water is supplied via nine treatment works, 36 service reservoirs or towers, 60 pumping stations and 3,280 km of water mains.