Barhale has been awarded a substantial contract by Thames Water to renovate a crucial sewer in East London. This initiative highlights the importance of maintaining critical infrastructure with precision and minimal disruption to the city.
- The project focuses on the northern outfall sewer, a significant wastewater conduit that spans 7.5 kilometres across the city.
- Originating in the Victorian era, the sewer’s refurbishment is crucial to supporting ongoing urban demands.
- Barhale will implement a phased approach to ensure continuous wastewater flow and community accessibility.
- Completion is anticipated in summer 2027, promising enhanced service longevity for London’s water infrastructure.
Barhale’s recent contract win underscores a commitment to upgrading London’s essential water infrastructure. The focus is on the Northern Outfall Sewer (NOS) located at Manor Road, West Ham. This substantial 7.5km pipeline plays a pivotal role in managing the extensive wastewater flow from a 300km3 area to the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. Notably, this sewer infrastructure also crosses significant transport lines, including the Jubilee Line and DLR, making careful planning essential.
Originally constructed between 1860 and 1865 by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, and later expanded, the NOS features five parallel ‘barrels’ with each measuring 2.7m in diameter. The renovation work by Barhale will involve enhancing these aging structures using specially-designed duplex stainless steel pipes, all while maintaining crucial wastewater flow above 22,000 litres per second. This necessity rules out over-pumping, prompting the use of phased isolations with no more than two sewers out of service concurrently.
A notable element is the minimisation of disruption. Barhale plans to coordinate closely with Thames Water to ensure the community impact is kept to a minimum. Jamie Lawson, Barhale’s senior contracts manager, emphasised the collaborative effort to sustain sewage flows and avoid interference with rail and road traffic. Moreover, the NOS’s role as the foundation of the Greenway footpath adds to the project’s complexity, requiring delicate handling to maintain public accessibility.
The decision to fabricate stainless steel pipework offsite reflects a strategic approach to ensure quality and precision, circumventing the challenges of on-site welding. This method not only upholds high standards but also expedites the process. The infrastructure’s longevity is further supported by comprehensive surveys of cast iron pipes and supporting hangers for potential refurbishment or replacement, aiming for a service extension of 120 years.
Shane Gorman, Barhale’s water director for the southern region, highlighted the NOS’s critical function across the capital and its connection to the Thames Tideway Tunnel. This extensive programme not only promises to bolster the overall water infrastructure in North East London but also aligns with long-term sustainability objectives. By summer 2027, the completed project aims to seamlessly continue serving the city’s extensive sewage requirements.
Barhale’s strategic efforts in modernising the Northern Outfall Sewer exemplify a forward-thinking approach to urban infrastructure, ensuring long-term functionality.
