RSE have supported the recent completion of an £800,000 Scottish Water project, upgrading Unst Water Treatment Works (WTW), a plant that serves a local island community of northernmost Shetland.
As Scottish Water’s lead project contractor, RSE was tasked with introducing an alternative chloramination water treatment process, whereby a measured quantity of ammonia is added to chlorine to create a long-lasting disinfectant. This treatment process has been widely established across the water industry and proven to be an effective approach to reliably providing safe, clean drinking water.
The investment upgrade incorporated this innovative water treatment solution throughout RSE’s detailed design, fabrication and installation phases of the project. The longevity of the improvements is certain, as chloraminated water outperforms chlorine, lasting longer throughout the distribution pipework and eliminating the need for additional treatment measures within the water network. Alongside ensuring the water is not contaminated with harmful bacteria, the new chloramination water treatment process reduces the possibility of customers experiencing a chlorine taste or odour from their tap water.
RSE assisted with the scope development of the project, in visiting site during Capex 1 and providing a scope agreement survey report. The supply scope included RSE’s provision of a complete ammonium sulphate dosing skid and the supply of the skid’s new Motor Control Centre (MCC), as delivered by RSE Group company, Saftronics. The project further required the delivery of a new telemetry Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) alongside new point of application pipework and chemical dosing pipework, this is enclosed within dual containment to prevent contaminating leaks and to ensure our systems are designed to protect the environment. Once installed, all equipment was fully commissioned and has been deployed to serve the local island community.
Robert Farquhar, RSE Project Manager, commented:
It was very important to get the new chloramination plant at Unst WTW into service, but we had to do that in a way that kept our staff, Scottish Water’s team and the wider community safe during a very difficult period for everyone.
We’re very pleased to have been able to play our part in delivering this important work for the island and appreciate the support and understanding we’ve had from local businesses and residents throughout.
Scottish Water’s Project Manager, Raymond Aitken, said:
The investment we have made is vital for ensuring that we can continue to provide our customers in Unst with a reliable supply of clear, fresh and high-quality drinking water for many years to come.
It was great to see how our own people and RSE came together to ensure that the project, which was already well advanced, could be carried over the finishing line while working with strict and initially unfamiliar measures in place.
