Wolsingham Sewage Treatment Works (STW)

Project Overview

Rainton Construction won the ‘Project of the Year (£1m-£5m)’ and ‘Subcontractor of the Year’ awards at the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) North East Awards 2022 for our work on the Wolsingham Sewage Treatment Works (STW).

The project, located adjacent to the River Wear between Crook and Stanhope in North West Durham, required an upgrade to accommodate population growth in the catchment area. Rainton Construction was appointed as a subcontractor to perform various tasks on the site. Collaborating with the main contractor, Tilbury Douglas, we ensured successful outcomes for the client, Northumbrian Water.

Challenges

This highly complex and specialised project involved both the installation of new components and the upgrading of existing facilities. The introduction of new technology was essential to manage the increased demand due to a growing population, both now and in the future. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was delivered successfully, cutting more than four months off the schedule and saving Northumbrian Water nearly £1 million.

Safety and Sustainability

Maintaining the highest possible standards of environmental protection was a key focus throughout the project. The innovative, sustainable design solutions helped Northumbrian Water create a resilient water network.

In recognition of these efforts, the project won the ‘Civils Project of the Year’ and ‘Sustainability Project of the Year’ at the CENE Awards 2021. The judges commented on exemplar collaboration as a stand-out feature of the project, which went on to win the ‘National Award for Innovation’. In 2022, the engineering project won the ‘large’ category at the Institution of Civil Engineers North East’s Robert Stephenson Awards.

Summary

The project was completed on time and within budget, achieving a 20% cost saving through off-site manufacture, which provided greater predictability in delivery times. Quality was significantly improved compared to traditional methods, and time on site was reduced by 20%, enhancing the project’s safety performance. The success of the project underscored the importance of strong relationships and supplier communication. We are proud to have contributed to this successful and innovative project.