The RSA Programme was set up by the Environment Agency in 1999 to identify and catalogue those sites which may be at risk from abstraction and forms part of the Agency’s National Environmental Programme (NEP). The NEP for AMP5 (2010 – 2015) is driven by the Environment Agency’s need to implement the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and local issues identified by the Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) process.
The Environment Agency initially identified 31 sites for Severn Trent Water to investigate under the National Environment Plan in AMP5. One site (the Worcestershire Middle Severn Sandstone groundwater unit) comprised 19 sub-sites for which individual assessments were required. This was a substantial increase in the number of sites compared to previous AMP periods and meant that almost 15% of Severn Trent’s annual average demand was potentially earmarked for sustainability reductions.
In July 2011 Severn Trent Water awarded this substantial programme of work to a consortium led by ESI and supported by specialist inputs from APEM (aquatic ecology) and Hydro-Logic (hydrometry and hydrology). This builds on similar work that the consortium successfully delivered for the utility during previous AMP cycles.
Following desk studies, more than 30 sites have now been taken forward for further investigation and options appraisal. Discussion with the Environment Agency has helped to finalise the scope in detail and work is now underway at all sites. This includes: hydrological, ecological (fish, macroinvertebrate and habitats) and water quality monitoring, groundwater modelling, borehole construction, pumping tests, augmentation trials, impact assessment and options identification. Work supporting Severn Trent Water’s Drought Plan will also be carried out under the framework.
Andy Banham, STWL Programme manager said:
“Following a successful relationship in previous AMPs we are confident that this consortium will deliver work to the high standards required by STWL/EA to satisfy the demands of this challenging programme.”
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Börger UK, which has firmly established itself as a leading pump brand since it was set up in Staffordshire in 2004, has moved into bigger, brand-new premises in Shrewsbury.
HUBER Technology UK & Ireland are inviting people to register for their March webinar where they will be providing information about HUBER water intake screens for municipal and industrial applications.
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Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
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Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.