The Background

The project is a large-scale, £2 billion national logistics hub being developed in England. It will include rail-served logistics facilities and a host of sustainability features, including energy-efficient certification and a target of Net Zero carbon.

The principal contractor for the first phase of the project, contacted Siltbuster for assistance after a competitor’s water treatment systems failed to work as effectively as required.

Siltbuster’s team’s technical expertise, ability to accurately test site conditions to create a bespoke solution, and superior modular equipment were key to the success of this project.

The Challenge

Siltbuster’s specialists were contacted in early 2024 when it was determined that the incumbent water treatment provider was struggling to adequately clean surface waste runoff from the groundworks.

The project is being delivered to meet high sustainability standards and is under high levels of scrutiny in the local area. A significant amount of groundworks, including some cut-and-fill operations, were taking place to install new roads and services and prepare the site for construction.

Meanwhile, the site’s natural geology includes a red/orange coloured clay subsoil, which was still present as a contaminant in the surface water runoff after going through the existing treatment systems, causing it to be discoloured and ‘dirty’ in appearance. Siltbuster’s teams attended the site to take samples, which were analysed to determine the best course of treatment.

The Solution

Siltbuster designed a solution specifically to the site requirements, involving two-stage dosing with a coagulant up front and a separate-stage flocculant added downstream.

This dosing aids the clumping of particles to help them naturally settle out for safe removal and is carried out with precision so no reagents are carried over into the treated water.

Siltbuster currently has four systems installed on site, each handling up to 27 litres per second per discharge point and comprising an MT20 or MT30 mix tank, followed by two or three lamella clarifiers where the contaminants settle out.

A sludge pump is fitted to each clarifier to help remove solids, with conical hoppers used for superior performance. Once the systems were installed, they were carefully monitored so adjustments could be made, including the addition of a stronger coagulant where needed.

The Result

Treated water leaving the site is now visually clear at the point of discharge. Siltbuster’s intervention has ensured the site remains within the requirements of its Environment Agency discharge consent and has helped protect the reputation of the scheme and its contractors on a high-profile and sensitive project.