Carillion project for Northumbrian Water scoops major engineering award

Support services and construction company Carillion and Northumbrian Water have scooped a major industry award for a North East sewage treatment works at a ceremony hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
ICE North East has awarded Northumbrian Water and Carillion Water the Robert Stephenson Award for Civil Engineering Contract of the Year for Seahouses sewage treatment works and associated pumping stations at Beadnell and Bamburgh, beating off tough competition.
The innovative treatment works, which has been designed and built to look like a farmstead and was commissioned in 2006, is situated on the North Northumberland coastline in the village of Seahouses and serves a population of up to 15,000 people in Seahouses, Beadnell and Bamburgh.
The four buildings which make up the sewage treatment works were built using sandstone for the walls and slate tiles for the roof with much of the works built underground to minimise its impact on the landscape.
The award recognised the careful planning required, challenges and extensive consultation carried out to construct a vital major development in such an environmentally sensitive area - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The £14.5 million works replaced three raw sewage discharges to the North Sea with a single treated effluent discharge through an existing long sea outfall at Seahouses allowing Northumbrian Water to meet its requirements under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations.
Construction of the works and installation of the plant was carried out by Carillion Water and Black & Veatch.
Bob Lorenzo, Carillion Regional Director said: “We’re delighted to have won such a prestigious award. The project fought off stiff competition from some very worthwhile projects so we’re especially pleased to have been awarded the title. Thanks to all those involved in the project including consultants Entec and our clients Northumbrian Water.”
Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager for the scheme, Mick Abbott, said: “Winning this award is a fitting tribute to the hard work of all involved to design and construct Seahouses sewage treatment works. It will also have a huge positive environmental impact on coastal bathing waters.
“People can take for granted that when they flush the toilet what comes naturally is treated and returned safely to the environment and this is just one example of the huge amount of planning and work that goes into making this happen.”

Email: Donna.Halfpenny@carillionplc.com