Carlisle team work on Bolton waterworks
AJE is working on behalf JN Bentley for United Utilities who have started work on a £110m project to improve Bolton wastewater treatment works.
AJE has been contracted to design, detail, fabricate, supply and install a new steel framework 134m long x 26m wide over the existing sludge plant lanes at the wastewater treatment works. The new structure will also incorporate raised walkways running the full length consisting of a primary walkway with goal post support frames for mechanical installation and two tertiary walkways. There will be a further 12 walkways spanning the width.
As part of its plans to improve the water quality in the River Irwell, United Utilities is making a number of changes to the site. This includes, to meet the growing demand from the Bolton area, increasing the capacity of the works to allow it to treat 20 per cent more wastewater. The increase in capacity will also reduce the amount of times that the storm overflow operates in periods of heavy rain.
Leading on the project for AJE is Chris Roberts who is based out of the Carlisle office.
He said: “This is a large-scale project which has taken an enormous amount of detailing and planning. Working from a concept model over the last four months we have provided the structural design and detailing on a very complex upgrade confined by the parameters of the existing reinforced concrete structure and the new treatment equipment to be installed. The steel framework will support the new membrane aerated biofilm reactor system (MABR) to improve the ammonia removal at the works and provide access for future cleaning and maintenance.”
He added: “We are delighted to have played an important part in co-ordinating the steel design and its development into manufacture. Our fabrication team have worked incredibly hard over the last couple of months which will continue into the early part of 2025. The first delivery of the fabricated steelwork was received on October 14, enabling our site teams to commence with the site installation.”
Around 30 personnel in total from AJE have been involved in the project with the fabrication of the steelwork taking place at Waterford making full use of the cut and drill lines as well as the newly installed angle processing line which has played an exceptional part in getting the first steel started quickly and efficiently. It is expected that AJE’s role in the project will be completed by next April.
The full improvements which also include major enhancements to the treatment processes at the works to use more innovative technology and a relocation of the of the storm overflow outfall pipe will be operational by April 2025 with landscaping completed by the end of that year.
Further projects will take place at Bury and Rossendale wastewater treatment works that together with the works at Bolton will improve the water quality along a 47km stretch of the River Irwell.
