Early success for attenuation installation at BAE Plant, Lancashire

Sunday, 6 December 2009

GEA 2H Water Technologies Ltd, in conjunction with Frazer; one of the UK’s largest civils merchants, have successfully completed the first stage of an attenuation stormwater management project at the prestigious BAE Samlesbury Aerodrome Plant in Lancashire.

Stormwater management is a key element of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), an increasingly important part of all building projects. Urban development has led to a large proportion of the land being covered by impermeable surfaces such as roofs, car parks and road. When rain falls on these areas the surface water run-off rate rapidly increases resulting in potentially damaging water flow. There is, therefore, a need to re-channel this water flow in order to replace the natural flow control of the open landscape. SUDS are the means by which these water flows are re-channeled back to natural storage areas such as aquifers.

Attenuation is one of two methods of stormwater control and provides temporary water storage capacity to hold excess surface water during periods of peak rainfall. This water is then released in a controlled manner into the sewer system. (The second method is Soakaways which store surface water run off and then gradually release it into the surrounding ground).

There were two key factors in the decision to award the contract to GEA 2H and Frazers: the total design flexibility offered with the GEOdek system meant that the load bearing characteristics of the modules were custom designed to match the specific requirements of the site and GEOdek’s high compressive strength made it ideal for areas such as the car parking area involved.

The combined proposal of GEA and Frazer to supply a “one-stop” product and installation solution was also a significant advantage which helped secure this project. The contract included supply and installation of media and the wrapping and siting of the tanks.

Frazer Sales Director Alex Rawson stated: “It has been a successful project in terms of speed of delivery, installation and client satisfaction. One particular important aspect of this high security site was to ensure that security clearance for the media deliveries were accurately co-ordinated with site readiness to install which is a good example of how the hard work and determination put into the project by both companies resulted in a highly effective installation. Chandos Civils, who commissioned the attenuation tanks, are delighted with the way the project was managed.”

GEA 2H’s, Managing Director Richard Manning said: “Controlling stormwater at source not only eases pressure on conventional drainage systems, but also benefits the environment both through the re-use of water as grey water and economically by allowing multiple use of development land.”