en.Wedoany.com Reported - Barhale has completed the upgrade of St Helens Wastewater Treatment Works on the Isle of Wight, UK, on behalf of Southern Water. The newly constructed facilities increase the full-flow treatment capacity to 17.2 liters per second, enhancing long-term operational resilience.
The core of the project involved constructing a 9-meter diameter humus settlement tank and related infrastructure. The work also included installing new flow monitoring equipment to meet UMON4 requirements, while upgrading the on-site Motor Control Centre and control systems.
During construction, civil, mechanical, and electrical disciplines worked in coordination, involving complex process connections with existing infrastructure. Tasks included modifying inspection chambers, diverting flows within the operational humus system, and installing additional process equipment such as automatic desludging devices, actuators, and a new sampling system (including a V-notch inspection chamber).
The electrical work involved system installation and terminal connections for multiple assets, as well as modifications to existing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) systems. All work was carried out under controlled operating procedures to ensure continuous plant operation.
Supporting civil works included constructing retaining walls, refurbishing site roads, installing walkways and bollards, and adding permanent safety fencing to improve access and site safety.
The project also entered an extensive testing and commissioning phase, involving telemetry integration, reliability assessments, and water sample testing to confirm compliance with regulatory standards. Through coordinated phased shutdowns and system integration, new equipment was connected without impacting existing operations.
Barhale and Southern Water conducted community engagement activities throughout the project, including implementing traffic management permits and approvals to minimize impact on local roads, and holding a public open day to provide residents with opportunities to learn about the project and interact directly with project representatives. The delivery team also carried out a beach cleanup activity to support the local environment and community.
The project was completed within an operational plant, requiring close coordination between both parties. Environmental and safety measures were key components of the project, including measures to protect an ancient oak tree during construction.
