Pumps specialist Dutypoint explains the significance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and introduces its EPD-certified, all-in-one tank and booster set, ScubaTANK®, with details on how it fulfills these requirements.

Although it may seem like environmentalism and sustainability have exploded in recent times, in fact, it’s nothing new. The concept of sustainability was first embraced in 1972 as a vision recognising the interconnectedness of social, economic and environmental issues.

In 1987, The World Commission on Environment and Development published “Our Common Future”, sometimes known as The Brundtland Report, through the Oxford University Press. It stressed the importance that development meets the needs of the present, without compromising the needs of future generations.

The pursuit of sustainability is a balancing act. It requires navigating policy, strategy, programming, and project implementation, while demanding changes to stakeholders’ mindsets, attitudes, and behaviours.

This is something that Dutypoint has achieved. We are committed to developing products that embrace sustainability and enrich everyone’s future and a prime example of this is our market-leading EPD-certified ScubaTANK®.

Before we get to that, let’s have a look at EPDs, LCAs, and our EPD ScubaTANK® in a little more detail.

EPDs explained
Environmental Product declarations, or EPDs, are Type III declarations which are recognised as the standard baseline for environmental product comparison, sharing objective, transparent information about a product’s carbon footprint, water footprint, and energy consumption.

Valid for five years after being awarded, EPDs showcase a manufacturer’s commitment to measuring and reducing the environmental impact of their products and services, helping consumers to make informed decisions about the products they buy.

Upon completion, the assessment is used to calculate an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in line with EN 15804 + A2, with both EPD and life cycle assessment (LCA) being verified against strict, independent protocols.

EPDs and LCAs
Although EPDs are built around lifecycle assessment practice and methodology, their scope extends well beyond lifecycle assessment. Why? They must factor in any additional requirements from EN 15804 and other related standards and frameworks.

There are several types of EPDs that cover the different lifecycle product stages. They are defined as follows:

Cradle-to-gate EPD which focuses solely on the manufacturing process and material harvesting and features a minimal amount of lifecycle assessment data.

Cradle-to-grave EPD which covers the entire product lifecycle, specifically covering its maintenance and end-of-life. Anyone wishing to create a product EPD or utilise a manufacturer’s EPD should choose cradle-to-grave EPD.

Cradle-to-grave EPD with options which include the minimum requirements that are present in the cradle-to-gate option with several additional modules from cradle-to-grave EPD variations.

The Differences Between EPDs and LCAs
LCA reports are one of the most common methodologies for quantifying sustainability. They provide a systematic analysis of environmental impact throughout the whole product, material, or process lifecycle. LCA models the environmental implications of industrial production. An accurate, comprehensive LCA provides valuable, sustainable data that decision-makers can use to support sustainability initiatives.

EPDs, or Environmental Product Declarations are typically shorter, simpler, verified environmental documentation used by organisations for in-house and external communications. They do not contain any sensitive company details or product information, like manufacturing processes.

The commercial benefits of EPDs
Within the construction industry, EPDs support carbon emissions reduction by promoting comparative analysis of different materials and products. This allows decision-makers to select the most sustainable option for their projects while optimising product impact and showcasing transparency.

A voluntary EPD is both internationally recognised and demonstrates a business’ commitment to environmental sustainability. Moreover, EPD-certified products benefit businesses in several different ways. These include:

• Market regulation: using or creating EPDs for a product or project
• Regulation and legal requirements: all public procurement bodies in the EU and EEA are required to use EPDs to assess a product’s environmental footprint
• Credits and certification: LCA credits are cost-efficient and easy to compare other credits’ requirements for your building’s certifications, and EPDs are also recognised by market-based systems

Let’s review the features and performance of our EPD-certified ScubaTANK®, including its key improvements, to demonstrate how it can comply with relevant EPAs.

The EPD-certified ScubaTANK®
Our innovative, sustainable, EPD-certified all-in-one tank and booster set, ScubaTANK®, features multi-stage submersible pumps, an inverter-driven smart tank level control system, and a common volt fault-free contact as standard.

The unit also includes isolation and non-return valves, pressure vessel, and a high flow failsafe close monitored inlet ball valve. These, plus many other features, make it ideal for both residential and commercial application.

More notably, the all-in-one tank and booster set that delivers maximum results with minimum hassle and is the first combined tank and booster set on the market to feature an EPD certification, EN 15804 + A2/ ISO 21930.

Key Improvements to the ScubaTANK®
Our EPD-certified ScubaTANK® features several key improvements. These include:

• Increased tank inflow rate so a higher flow can be achieved
• Smart remote monitoring to predict failures before they arise
• Electronically adjustable tank fill levels fitted as standard
• Improved electrical design for less downtime in the event of a failure
• Improved control bracket design for easier access to critical components
• High level alarm included as part of a common fault
• Manufactured to meet Environmental Product Declarations

Sustainability benefits
Our EPD-certified ScubaTANK® is the leading all-in-one tank and booster set. Below are the sustainability benefits you’ll reap when installing the system.

• ScubaTANK® promotes energy efficiency, whilst reducing your carbon footprint. Its variable-speed pumps ensure a low level of energy consumption. Additionally, the unit will power down when not in use and only use the minimal energy to satisfy demand.
• Designed as one complete packaged system for a tank and booster set, our ScubaTANK® is delivered to site as an individual unit that is ready-to-install, without additional packaging to maximise sustainability.
• The improved electrical design results in reduced downtime in the event of system malfunction or failure. This can lead to less overall runoff pollution and habitat degradation.
• All ScubaTANK® parts are manufactured to the highest quality and are WRAS-approved. This promotes system durability and longevity, complying with the highest standards of UK water regulations for maximum water efficiency.
• As a British manufacturer, Dutypoint promotes transparent product traceability across its entire range, including ScubaTANK®, therefore customers can be assured of superior efficiency, longevity, durability, and finesse.

EPDs and our future
Environment Product Declarations (EPDs) will play a pivotal role in the effort to realize a sustainable, eco-friendly future in which it is still possible to leverage high-performance products.

By providing transparency and comparability while encouraging sustainable choices, EPDs help people make better, eco-friendly decisions about the type of products they use. This is exactly why Dutypoint has developed the market-first EPD-accredited ScubaTANK® all-in-one tank and booster set.

To learn more about EPDs or browse our selection of sustainable products like Dutypoint’s EPD combined tank and cold-water booster ScubaTANK®, get in touch with Dutypoint today.

Following a successful two-year trial of interval timers on packaged wastewater treatment plant blowers has resulted in an average 50% energy reduction at a site in Cornwall.

The partnership between WCS Environmental Engineering (WCSEE) and Juliots Well Lodge Retreat has set a precedent for ongoing design and energy-saving standards on the wastewater treatment specialist’s HiPAF – high-performance aeration filter – system.

Energy costs
The HiPAF packaged wastewater treatment system was installed at Juliots Well Lodge Retreat in Camelford, North Cornwall, in 2019 to custom design specifications and environmental consents. This included a stringent Environment Agency effluent discharge permit for biological oxygen demand, suspended solids, and ammonia.

The plant is sized for a population equivalent of 1,230 and consistently processes loads up to 181m3/day wastewater. While the HiPAF operation was highly effective throughout the year, retreat park managers found that rising energy prices meant bills were higher than expected, especially during the peak demand periods of summer and weekends.

Air blowers are an integral part of the HiPAF system, providing oxygen to the bacteria during the aerobic process. However, without timers installed, blowers typically operate 24/7, which can account for more than 90% of the energy used in a HiPAF.

While energy efficiency has always been a key design focus of the HiPAF system, the engineering team at WCSEE took the opportunity to work closely with Juliots Well to identify ways to further reduce energy consumption. This included gathering and analysing data to assess how seasonal variability affects wastewater flow rates into the HiPAF and how dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the aerobic digestion tank affect the need for blower operation.

Analysis of the data helped in understanding how cost-effective timers placed on the blowers could be used to reduce energy consumption and bills.

Trial period
Over the two-year trial period, two timers were retrofitted on the HiPAF at Juliots Well, one on each blower alternating each week to ensure even wear. It is possible to start and stop the blowers up to ten times per hour, so the WCSEE team started with 15 minutes on-off intervals as a baseline.

When the blowers were off, DO levels in the aerobic digestion tank were measured to ensure that 5-6mg of DO per litre of effluent were maintained as a minimum level, as is required for efficient treatment and operation of the HiPAF.

By incrementally tweaking and extending the timers, it was possible to identify the optimal time period for the blowers to be off, while remaining within the DO limits.

By the end of the trial, it was confirmed that Juliots Well can now safely operate the HiPAF blowers at intervals of 10-minutes-on and 20-minutes-off to maintain minimum DO limits. This optimised solution has led to considerable energy savings while fully meeting the requirements of the Environment Agency discharge consent.

Rick Ackroyd, general manager at Juliots Well Lodge Retreat said, “With energy costs rising steeply, we were looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and energy use across the site. WCSEE has been a dedicated partner in helping with that goal.

“We value their patience and determination in helping us find an effective solution, ensuring we have a robust and efficient wastewater treatment system with the lowest possible energy consumption, especially during peak periods.”

Setting a precedent
High energy prices and net zero carbon commitments mean energy-efficient wastewater treatment is an increasing concern for owners and operators of packaged systems. To meet rising expectations, blower timers pre-set to 15-minute intervals are now fitted to all WCSEE HiPAF wastewater treatment systems as standard, ensuring the most cost-effective, energy-efficient system possible, and forming part of WCSEE’s standard control philosophy.

The company’s experienced technicians can work closely with clients post-installation to further enhance the HiPAFs functionality, with timers already delivering efficiencies on multiple sites.

WCSEE technical director, Andrew Baird, said, “By working in close collaboration with Juliots Well Lodge Retreat, we have been able to deliver the best value whole-life cost for the client as well as improving the design and operation of the HiPAF wastewater treatment plant.

“Given the rising cost of energy, and governments’ net zero ambitions, we look forward to working with our existing and future clients to rollout this energy-saving enhancement to our highly effective biological treatment technology.”

A US firm has a vision to design and develop durable and efficient solid-state hydrogen storage solutions that work under ambient temperature and low pressure.

H2MOF has been founded by Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart, awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016 for the design and synthesis of artificial molecular machines, and Professor Omar Yaghi, founder of Reticular Chemistry and awarded the Albert Einstein Award of Science in 2017.

“Hydrogen fuel has the highest energy density among all combustible fuels; at the same time, it has zero emissions”, said Sir Fraser Stoddart. He added: “these reasons are amongst the key drivers toward considering hydrogen energy as the best choice for a sustainable and clean future for humankind”.

Today, storing hydrogen often involves compressing or liquefying it by cooling it down. These conversions use a significant amount of energy and therefore are inefficient and expensive. H2MOF takes a different approach, “capitalizing on decades of discoveries and advancement in reticular chemistry and artificial molecular machinery to develop novel materials designed with atomic precision to tackle the challenging properties of hydrogen molecules”.

“Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. It’s the lightest element, and therefore it is very challenging to store and transport in an efficient and safe way”, says Professor Omar Yaghi, co-founder of H2MOF, who continues: “Over the past two decades, I’ve been working on improving the efficiency of hydrogen storage materials based on reticular chemistry, and we’ve made a lot of progress.”

Reticular chemistry, and specifically MOF technology, has received wide interest and recognition worldwide as a promising technology for solving the hydrogen storage challenge. The US Department of Energy listed MOF technology as a leading technology candidate to solve the hydrogen storage challenge. There are also several research programs that include consortiums from multiple reputable research institutions from multiple European countries, funded by the EU, that focus on MOF technology to develop more efficient hydrogen storage solutions.

Dr. Samer Taha, CEO of H2MOF elaborates: “Our technology aims at significantly cutting the energy penalty associated with storing hydrogen using high-pressure tanks or associated with liquefying hydrogen. Our technology roadmap targets the development of hydrogen storage solutions that can achieve high storage density at ambient temperature and at pressures as low as 20 bar, which is less than 3% of the pressure of some of the high-pressure 700-bar hydrogen storage tanks used in the industry today.” Dr. Taha added that “our technology relies on our novel material that attracts hydrogen molecules towards the nano-scale cavities of the material. This bonding then retains the hydrogen molecules inside the novel material while also allowing for their efficient release when required.”

H2MOF is currently working on the optimization and scaling of the novel material and on the integration of its hydrogen storage solution. Ultimately, the product offerings will be targeting several application areas including long-term storage of hydrogen, storage of hydrogen during long-distance transportation, and – when used as a fuel for transportation – solutions for various means of transportation such as light-duty vehicles, heavy duty trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes.

Sustainable building materials and construction solutions business Tarmac has teamed up with Finnish technology company Hyperion Robotics to bring structural 3d-printed concrete to the UK.

In partnership with fully-integrated design and build company Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) and Yorkshire Water, the innovation is being brought to life in a 3D-printed concrete design to replace standard applications for a major project at Yorkshire Water’s largest sewage treatment works in Esholt, near Leeds.

Following Yorkshire Water’s inaugural net zero partner event in January 2023, lead contractor MMB joined up with Hyperion and Tarmac to explore the latest sustainable construction solutions and techniques. As a result, four bespoke drawpits – traditionally heavy, box-shaped structures placed underground for the containment of electrical cabling – have been designed and put in place at Esholt thanks to the new robotic technology.

The drawpits, which meet Eurocode standards for structural engineering, have been positioned to allow for cabling to be installed from a new motor control centre leading to a set of newly-refurbished deep bed sand filters and the site’s backwash pumping station. Together, the equipment combines to control and ensure high-quality water filtration on-site.

The 3D-printed design has resulted in a 40 per cent reduction in embodied carbon when compared to a conventional, in-situ drawpit.

Robert Gossling, head of commercial engineering solutions at Tarmac, said: “We’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the industry, meeting our customers’ needs for sustainable solutions and accelerating progress towards a net-zero built environment.

“Together with MMB and Hyperion Robotics, we’ve unlocked new opportunities to embrace exciting new 3D-printing technology and remote construction techniques for Yorkshire Water.

“When structurally designed 3D-concrete printing is combined with dry silo mortar factory production methods and the latest low carbon cement technology this new model offers multiple benefits. By continuing to provide expertise to Hyperion, we’re excited to explore how the key learnings from the project and how 3D printing technology could be extended across the wider construction industry.”
Serving 760,000 people in Bradford and Leeds, Esholt Waste Water Treatment Works is undergoing a capital improvement programme in a bid to reduce the amount of phosphorus present in treated wastewater. The initiative forms part of Yorkshire Water’s performance on environmental commitments – ensuring effluent water quality meets and exceeds the most stringent requirements.
Marc Lupton, capital delivery programme manager for Yorkshire Water, said: “This pioneering piece of technology allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and has the opportunity to replace our traditional methods of construction.

“It’s exciting to see this 3D concrete printed structure and we are looking forward to seeing how we can develop further applications for expanding its use across our Capital Programme. We’d like to thank MMB, Hyperion Robotics and Tarmac for the work they have put in to bring this together.
“We are always looking at innovative new technologies to help us reduce our carbon footprint as we continue our journey to net zero.”

Tom Lewis, MMB operations director, said: “Innovative ways of working are at the core of how as a business MMB commit to deliver both low carbon and low-cost solutions for our clients. It has been a pleasure for our teams to collaborate in such a fast-paced way to bring these solutions to life and look forward to the continuing partnership bringing even greater gains.”

Material advance
Henry Unterreiner, Hyperion’s co-founder and head of engineering, said: “By thinking out of the box (literally), and proposing a more structurally efficient circular structure, we managed to use 50% less material when compared with a conventional drawpit structure. In addition, the technique incorporates less concrete and steel rebar than traditionally used, due to the unique construction technique enabled by 3D printing.

“Drawpits are only a small part of the catalogue of cost-competitive and low-carbon structures we have developed. Our on-demand manufacturing approach supports the construction industry in its transition to net zero, as together we work to tackle the climate emergency.”

Sustainable drain cleaning technology deployed by Lanes Group plc has supported the installation of a ground-breaking ‘super-thin’ source control stormwater attenuation system that has saved the NHS considerable costs during the construction of a new hospital car park, according to the group.

The innovative system, developed and manufactured in the UK, has also contributed to the NHS’s net zero commitments – in part by preventing the need to excavate and move hundreds of tonnes of earth and foundation aggregate.

Drainage engineers at the Lanes Manchester depot have used a recycler jet vac tanker to clean silt traps in the giant water tank. The same height as a tea mug, it now stretches across the entire footprint of the 3,500m² multistorey car park.

SEL Environmental, based in Blackburn, Lancashire, has installed its novel Formavoid sustainable drainage system (SuDS) at the North Manchester General Hospital for Morgan Sindall Construction.

The tank sits within the car park’s subbase and holds rainwater while it is released into the surface water drainage system in a controlled way to prevent flooding.

SEL Environmental commissioned Lanes to clean 18 sumps that trap silt before the water enters the tank and to carry out a CCTV drainage survey as part of the process of handing over the new car park to the NHS.

Morgan Sindall Construction has built the new 964-space car park as part of £36.5m of enabling works ahead of the wider rebuilding of the hospital estate.

Lanes Manchester Area Development Manager Ian Clapham said: “We’ve been delighted to support SEL Environmental in what is a truly awesome water attenuation scheme for this car park development.

“Installing a water storage system in this way delivers huge environmental and financial benefits and we’re glad that we’ve contributed to a very sustainable project with our own energy and resource efficient water jetting technology.”

SEL Environmental was called in to design and install the stormwater attenuation system needed to manage water run-off from the car park located on an already intensively used site.

A conventional approach would have been to install a large, deep attenuation tank which would have required the excavation of hundreds of tonnes of earth.

This would have been a very costly and challenging solution because of the array of underground services including sewers, water pipes and other utility assets criss-crossing the development site.

Instead, SEL Environmental designed a low carbon subbase attenuation system, incorporating its patented Formavoid technology, to capture water within the foundation layer of the car park.

The Formavoid system is manufactured in Lancashire and is made from 100% recycled plastic. It integrates within an open-graded subbase to enhance the void ratio of aggregate, improve stability and reduce construction depths.

Despite being just 100mm thick, the solution installed at Manchester General Hospital could hold an astonishing 300 cubic metres of water.

SEL Environmental Managing Director Andy Shuttleworth said: “One lorryload of our Formavoid system replaces 37 lorryloads of foundation material, so that’s a lot of truck movements and material saved.

“Those savings can be added to the resource, time, energy and cost savings made by not having to construct a large attenuation tank, and contributes to a significant reduction in the project’s carbon footprint. So, we were very pleased to have been able to present this solution.

“Once our tank is in place, the only task necessary is to clean the silt traps so the water can flow freely through the system. It was good that Lanes could use its sustainable water jetting system to help us do this.”

Lanes has the largest fleet of recycler jet vac tankers in the UK. The specialist vehicles can filter and reuse their water, making them 62% more productive, while consuming less water and less fuel.

Ian Clapham said: “As climate change makes our weather systems more volatile with longer periods of heavy rain throughout the year, smart SuDS solutions like this will become all the more critical.

“What’s impressive is that they also support reduced energy use, which contributes to the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 commitment. It’s why Lanes is determined to support their installation and maintenance with equally advanced asset surveying and cleaning systems.”

For more detail see www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Merkland Tank continues to invest in its modern fleet, with ongoing increments in its operational capacity. The firm – a leading UK-wide provider of tank and specialist industrial cleaning services – recently took delivery of a new ADR WhaleVac tanker, tractor unit and two additional support vans, following last year’s investment in a high-performance CycloVac, two Artic tankers, two Jet-Vacs, three tractor units and a bespoke emergency rescue van.

Merkland recently carried out a timely decommissioning of a key client’s redundant manufacturing facility. Over four weeks, Merkland’s experienced engineers and confined space operatives drained and cleaned a 55,000 litre HFO tank (containing 38,000 litres of HFO), a 20,000 litre methanol tank, two LPG tanks, and drained down the plant’s full heating system.

A key challenge was to ensure the HFO remained heated to a temperature of 55°C and Merkland’s vast experience in dealing with HFO Tank decommissioning proved vital in manufacturing a custom-built heating coil to achieve this. The tank was then diesel- and pressure-washed to achieve the desired cleanliness levels.

The methanol tank had to be drained down, the manway (complete with flame arrester) removed, and the tank pressure washed and force vented. The LPG Tanks were decommissioned by controlled flaring and venting, ensuring all tanks were in gas free condition.

Measures were put in place to ensure safe working at height, and using high-performance suction from the Cyclovac, Merkland’s team drained down over 250 roof panel heaters and purged the heating system.
Merkland Tank offer a full 360 turnkey solution for all tank decommissioning needs, from initial inspection and fuel analysis, to tank cleaning and safe disposal.

www.merklandtank.co.uk

In a nod to the septic-tank-emptying problems being encountered by many in Cornwall and Devon, waste management company CSG is announcing its investment in a new tanker to help with the issue.

The firm has added a 1,000 gallon tanker to its fleet to assist desperate households. There are thousands of homes not connected to the sewer network across the two counties – but there is a severe lack of disposal facilities in the area.

The problem was exacerbated by the recent closure of two sewage disposal sites in the area which were found to be operating illegally.

Meanwhile, South West Water temporarily closed some of its waste treatment sites earlier this year due to a rise in demand because of rain filling tanks.

Some septic tank owners have reported severe delays in sewage collection as a consequence of the disruption.

CSG says its new FUSO tanker will give septic tank owners a fresh option.

Steve Hicks, CSG’s Operations Director said: “The closure of the two sewage disposal sites has had a knock-on effect and some people with septic tanks have really struggled to find a reliable service provider.

“For some people, it’s got to the stage where they are worried about using their washing machines or toilets for fear of their tank overflowing.

“We’re delighted to be helping the situation with this investment in a new 1,000 gallon tanker. It is deliberately smaller than most of our tankers – many of which have double the capacity – so that it is more manoeuvrable and appropriate for the often small and winding roads of Cornwall and Devon.

“It means we will be able to access some of the hard-to-reach addresses that other operators struggle with and by engaging with a reputable company like CSG, customers can be assured of best-in-class service with an organisation that is fully compliant and renowned for its ethical disposal.

“We feel this investment demonstrates our commitment to providing a safe, reliable and compliant off-mains waste service for the people of Cornwall and Devon.”

CSG operates the largest independent fleet of specialist waste management vehicles in the UK, providing domestic and industrial waste collection, recovery and processing services from 27 sites nationwide.

More than 100 of CSG’s fleet are specialist waste road tankers, reflecting the company’s long historical links with the liquid waste sector.

A team of experienced, professional drivers are trained to empty sewage tanks with minimal disruption to customers and the waste safely transported to a licensed treatment facility where it is processed to the highest environmental standards.

For more information, visit www.csg.co.uk

A £9.5 million project to boost the storage and treatment of wastewater gets underway near Bridgwater, Somerset this autumn, says Wessex Water.

Construction teams will move on to the water recycling centre just outside North Petherton, next to the M5 motorway, in August to begin updating equipment used to treat arriving sewage and adding capacity for excess water flowing through the system after heavy rain.

The work will mean more than 800,000 litres of sewer water will be able to be housed in an underground tank, the increased storage helping to reduce the instances of storm overflows operating automatically to relieve the threat of overwhelmed combined sewers flooding homes and businesses following heavy rainfall.

The added storage, housed below ground on land next to the centre will keep more mixed rain runoff and wastewater in the tank at the centre before it is treated and safely returned to the environment later.

North Petherton, which is expected to take around 10 months to complete, is the latest in a string of Wessex Water schemes that have seen more than £25 million poured into environmental improvements throughout the county just this year.

A £7 million project to add new storage as well as strengthen the removal of chemicals from wastewater is expected to conclude in Ilminster in October. Meanwhile, more than £12 million is being spent to do likewise at rural sites at Milverton and Bishop’s Lydeard in the west of the county.

More than £50 million worth of similar projects have been completed, are currently being carried out or are in the planning stage for the five-year period between 2020 and 2025, says the utility.

Wessex Water project manager Victoria Plummer said: “Upgrading the North Petherton centre means we can further enhance the way we store and treat wastewater before it is returned to the environment in Somerset.

“The increased storage capacity will help to reduce the amount of times storm overflows operate and these projects also help to further protect the environment by improving the health of our watercourses, such as rivers and streams.

“While the centre is the other side of the M5 motorway from the town itself, because this is a significant upgrade we’ve worked hard with the local community to ensure any disruption to local routes is kept to a minimum.

“We have a dedicated temporary access route, which will be reinstated afterwards, to take most heavy construction vehicles and avoid North Petherton itself and while some rights of way will be affected to ensure the work can be completed safely, we’re also manning some areas to ensure walking routes can remain accessible.

Wessex Water says it is continuing to invest £3 million a month to reduce how often storm overflows operate, with this figure rising to £9 million a month, if approved by water industry regulators.

In 2013 Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd. supplied their Steelcoat 100/400 System to protect a gas pipe on the Craigavon Bridge in Derry City. The successful application led to the use of the same system by Northern Ireland Water to protect 281m of a wastewater pumping main, including flanges and support brackets, on the same bridge in 2022.

The Steelcoat 100/400 System has been used by water companies throughout the UK to provide effective, long-term protection from corrosion to exposed and above ground pipework. The ease and speed with which the system can be applied, alongside minimal surface preparation requirements, also helped to reduce traffic disruption on the bridge during the works. The final layer of Denso Acrylic Topcoat was also supplied in the same shade of blue to match the colour already featured on the bridge structure.

Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd. provided training and site support during the application which was carried out by BSG Civil Engineering Ltd and O’Kane Civil Engineering over a 10-week period. The products were supplied by one of Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd.’s distributors, APP Fusion Group, Lisburn.

Water technology firm SDS has completed the installation of its latest smart rainwater management systems at homes in Forton, Lancashire, and Deal, Kent, as part of water companies’ ongoing efforts to reduce sewage spills into rivers and the sea.

The company’s Intellistorm®-equipped rainwater harvesting tanks use smart technology to retain and release their contents automatically, thereby increasing – seemingly by several orders of magnitude over a standard water butt – their capacity to protect the sewers from being overwhelmed by excess surface water from heavy rainfall. More than 60 systems have already been installed by agreement with homeowners by SDS in January and February 2023 for United Utilities and Southern Water.

The two water companies have committed to deploying several hundred tanks over the next few weeks, including at properties served by United Utilities at Wrea Green in Lancashire, and by Southern Water at homes in its “Pathfinder” locations in Kent and the Isle of Wight.

Intellistorm® works by releasing water from the tank prior to rainfall. By analysing weather forecast data the system calculates how much water to release based on the roof size and the size and location of the tank. This ensures that there is always water available for homeowners to use, for example in their gardens, but also sufficient spare capacity in the tank to accommodate the next rainstorm.

A typical water butt fills once in the winter and then remains full and overflows until water is taken out by the homeowner, often only when summer has arrived. Consequently, a standard butt contributes little to holding back water from sewer networks during the wettest months of the year.

SDS has carried out an assessment of the performance data supplied by the initial 25 tanks at Forton after their first month of operation. Extrapolated across 12 months, and using average rainfall statistics, it has been established that the tanks could hold back up to 75 times their nominal volume, equivalent to each tank holding back 30,000 litres of water a year from the combined sewer at times of peak flows, which is when sewers typically overflow. In Forton alone this equates to a surface water attenuation volume of up to three quarters of a million litres of water per year*. That water is then released once the rain event has passed and the sewers can cope.

Johnny Phillips, Surface Water Strategy Development Manager for United Utilities, said: “We’re delighted to be launching this initiative in Forton. Having looked at a number of areas, we think the smart water tanks will make a real difference in the village and help to increase capacity in our sewer network and deliver local environmental improvements, and the early findings are backing this up.”

Dr Neil Sewell, Director of New Technology Services at SDS, said: “We’ve made exciting enhancements to the Intellistorm® technology since our early projects with South West Water, Anglian Water and Severn Trent Water and we’re pleased to show how the latest version of the tanks begins to deliver some really strong performance in Forton and Deal.”

These projects show that Intellistorm®-equipped smart tanks have the potential to be a really valuable tool for Water Companies in the battle against sewer overflows and flooding, particularly when they are coupled with other sustainable drainage systems and sewer network improvements.

They have the added advantage of providing a supply of non-potable water for homeowners, thus reducing the demand for mains-supplied, drinking-quality water for purposes for which its high level of treatment is not required, whether that’s for watering the garden and washing the car or even flushing the toilet and supplying the household washing machine.

It is also a great way for local people to get involved with helping to solve flooding and pollution, thereby improving water quality in our rivers and bathing waters, as well as protecting the country’s declining natural water resources from over-abstraction, in order to feed a growing and increasingly water-dependent population.

SDS says it is seeing significant interest from water companies in its Intellistorm® systems.

^{*based on average rainfall accumulations – these figures will vary if the weather is drier or wetter than the average.}