In March 2023, a significant milestone was achieved in the water treatment sector with the completion of the Sladen Valley Water Treatment Works (WTW) upgrade project. This £13m capital scheme, undertaken for Yorkshire Water Services (YWS) alongside design partners Stantec, was part of a strategic initiative to enhance water quality in compliance with the Drinking Water Inspectorate's (DWI) standards. The project was one of the first to be executed through the AMP7 end-to-end process, marking a significant achievement in the water industry.

Division
Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks
Approach
Design and build
Sector
Natural Resources
Yorkshire and Humber

Key participants

  • Design partner: Stantec
  • Collaborative partners: Part of the Partnership for Yorkshire (P4Y) initiative, including Kier, Sweco, Seymour Civils Ltd, and other supply chain partners. 

 

Project scope 

The comprehensive project involved: 

  • Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), investigation works, and design reviews.
  • Construction of inlet works, including valves, tank, screening, and distribution chamber.
  • Refurbishment of a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system.
  • Installation of a Magnetic Ion Exchange (MIEX®) plant with 8Ml/d capacity.
  • Implementation of a sodium hypochlorite delivery, storage, and dosing system.
  • Removal of redundant assets and relocation of the MSP system. 

 

Strategic approach 

Collaborative enterprise delivery 

The project was executed using a collaborative Enterprise Model, fostering teamwork and innovation. This approach was instrumental in meeting the tight DWI compliance deadline. 

 

Planning and execution 

  • Collaborative planning: Utilising the Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP) and Six Sigma methodologies, the team engaged in collaborative planning and efficient programming.
  • Supply chain management: A proactive approach was taken to manage the supply chain, including adapting to global shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Standardised design: Joint design reviews led to standardised design packages, which streamlined the process and ensured compatibility for future maintenance. 

 

Innovative solutions 

  • Sourcing during COVID-19: The team overcame global supply chain challenges, adapting to equipment shortages and logistical hurdles.
  • Temporary pipework solution: A temporary solution was devised to ensure the timely commissioning of the MIEX® plant. 

 

Technology and innovation 

  • Off-site factory acceptance tests (FATs): This strategy expedited commissioning and maintained program timelines.
  • 3D Lidar and asset surveys: Integral for project planning, these surveys informed the design and implementation stages.
  • Building information modelling (BIM): A 'Digital-First' approach with BIM facilitated effective planning and clash detection.
  • Leveraging offsite manufacturing: Using offsite manufacturing for the chemical dosing package ensured quality and reduced on-site risks. 

 

Outcome and benefits 

  • On-time and within-budget delivery: The project was successfully completed within the stipulated time frame and budget.
  • Enhanced water quality: The upgrade aligns with YWS's commitment to improving water quality and meeting DWI standards.
  • Cost-effective solutions: The project achieved optimal capital and operational expenditure balance through TOTEX-driven solutions and upfront affordability checks.
  • Asset health improvement: The upgrade significantly contributed to the long-term health and efficiency of the water treatment assets. 

 

Conclusion 

The Sladen Valley WTW upgrade represents a benchmark in collaborative, efficient, and innovative water treatment projects. By successfully navigating challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies and collaborative approaches, this project met regulatory requirements and set new standards in the water treatment industry. 

"The installation of the innovative Magnetic Ion Exchange (MIEx) plant has been a successful upgrade to our Sladen Valley treatment works, allowing us to further enhance the high standard of clean drinking water to Keighley and surrounding areas. 

Our collaboration with Kier, and its management of the £16m scheme, was efficient and effective and key to the project’s success - which our customers are now seeing the benefit of."

Neil Whitehead, senior asset planning sponsor at Yorkshire Water