Civil contractor dips toe in water process engineering pool

Civil contractor J Murphy & Sons has entered the process engineering arena in the water sector for the first time through its Murphy Pipelines division, which has seen off stiff competition to win a £35M-plus design and build contract with Thames Water Utilities.


Murphy said: “We have done this type of work under the KMI JV for a while in the water and wastewater sector but this is perhaps the first stand-alone process-based contract we have done as Murphy in the water sector. We do this type of thing all the time in the gas sector.”

The Deephams STW Inlet Works Improvements scheme in Edmonton, London, aims to enhance an ageing plant through improvements to the existing inlet pumping stations, screenings plant, stormwater treatment system and a new inlet works with a dedicated pumping station.

New effective screening and larger storm tank capacity will be implemented to provide better sewage handling, storage and treatment, which in turn will increase capacity and improve the water quality of the River Lee and its tributaries.

The main scope of Murphy’s works comprises the civil, mechanical and electrical design of the scheme; construction of a new pumping station within a new 20m diameter x 27m deep diaphragm walled shaft; and construction of two new reinforced concrete storm tanks.

Murphy will also undertake the civil, mechanical and electrical works associated with the refurbishment of the existing screens, modification of the two existing pump houses and upgrades to the site power and SCADA systems – all in the existing live treatment works.

Work is scheduled to start next month with final completion in December 2012.

Gavin Symonds, contracts manager for Murphy Pipelines, said: “This is a major project win for Murphy in a sector previously dominated by framework process contractors.”

Steve Shine, chief operating officer for Thames Water, said: “This upgrade at Deephams will make the River Lee cleaner and healthier for aquatic life, and it will also improve the riverside environment for people to enjoy. We’re doing £50M of work over the next three years and we hope to do more in future

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