HDPE pipes are an Asset in pumping chamber upgrade project

Large diameter plastic pipes from UK manufacturer, Asset International, are being successfully used in a series of projects to help improve the country’s water infrastructure.

The Weholite pipes have most recently been installed as part of the upgrade of Heage pumping station in Derbyshire, which is owned by Severn Trent Water (STW). 

The refurbishment of the Heage works is being led by principal contractors, Nomenca, who were charged with the role of upgrading existing facilities at the pumping station.

Heage is just one of hundreds of pumping stations across the UK that are undergoing remedial works as part of the AMP6 investment programme, as water companies look to update the country’s aged water infrastructure.

Part of what the site required was a wet well pumping chamber that could be lowered vertically into the ground, to a depth of approximately 4 metres, in one lift. To meet these conditions Asset manufactured a 3.5 metre diameter by 4 metre long chamber, which was prefabricated and tested at their Newport factory, before being delivered and installed on site in just a few hours.

It is believed that adopting such an approach saved Nomenca almost a month on programme and as a result had a major reduction on associated costs. Additional benefits to the contractor were the reduced health and safety risks and environmental impacts.

“The Weholite packaged pump station is the largest size that has been installed at present within STW and achieved the AMP 6 goals of 30 percent quicker, 20 percent more efficient and 30 percent more productive,” coomented Matt Bates from Nomenca.