We're replacing the fire-damaged trickling filters with an activated sludge reactor.
Demolition of trickling filters to get underway
We're demolishing the trickling filters and replacing them with a conventional activated sludge reactor. Once up and running the new reactor will fix the long-standing odour issues. This option also provides opportunities to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and accommodate the needs of our growing population.
Southern Demolition has been appointed to carry out demolition work, which will start on 21 November and is expected to take four to five months to complete.
We know how important a permanent fix is to the local community, and we’ve been working hard to get demolition underway as quickly as possible.
We’re aiming to have the walls of the trickling filters down by Christmas and in the new year we’ll shift our focus to removing the foundations.
The next stage of work will be construction of the activated sludge reactor. Design work is currently underway, and it’s expected to take up to three years to get the new solution up and running.
Demolition work will happen during working hours and contractors will do their best to minimise the noise, dust, and traffic disruption. Vehicles will enter the site from Cuthberts Road.
We can build the activated sludge reactor without disrupting current operations. In the meantime, we’re working hard to keep the damaged plant operating with minimal odour and will keep the community updated on progress.