Client: Affinity Water

Location: Sundon, UK

Description: A novel water treatment plant constructed on the site of an upgraded reservoir to aid Affinity Water’s environmental sustainability commitments.  

The Sundon Water Treatment Facility is a state-of-the-art water treatment plant constructed on the site of the upgraded Sundon Reservoir near Luton. ​ The facility was developed to support Affinity Water’s environmental sustainability goals, including reducing abstraction from chalk groundwater sources and improving the ecological health of rivers. ​ The project involved refurbishing the existing reservoir and constructing a new treatment facility to ensure compatibility with imported water from Anglian Water’s Grafham Water Reservoir. The works included:

Reservoir Modifications

  • Construction of a reinforced concrete dividing wall to split the single-cell reservoir into two for improved resilience during inspections. ​
  • Installation of new DN800 ABB flow meter and integration with existing and new inlet, outlet, overflow, and washout pipes. ​
  • Addition of access hatches, ladders, pipe hop-overs, and overbanding on concrete joints. ​
  • Installation of baffle curtains in each cell to ensure adequate chlorine contact time. ​

Chemical Dosing Systems

Sodium Hypochlorite Dosing:

  • Destroy chloramines (breakpoint chlorination) and maintain free chlorine residuals. ​
  • Bulk storage in GRP tanks with uPVC lining, equipped with pressure instruments for level readings. ​
  • Grundfos DDA120 smart pumps used in duty/standby configuration. ​
  • Leak detection system with PF Detect dual-contained hoses. ​

Sodium Hydroxide Dosing:

  • Reduce LSI by increasing alkalinity and maintaining pH levels. ​
  • Bulk storage in HDPE PE100 tanks with temperature control to prevent freezing. ​
  • Grundfos DME940 pumps in duty/assist/standby configuration. ​

Carbon Dioxide Dosing:

  • Adjust pH levels without affecting LSI. ​
  • Liquid CO₂ stored in insulated vessels and vaporized for dosing. ​

New Buildings

  • Chemical Building – Houses chemical storage tanks and dosing equipment. ​
  • Control Building – Contains the static mixer, water quality monitors, and MCC. ​
  • Precast concrete construction for durability and reduced on-site risks. ​
  • Insulated Kingspan cladding and security-rated doors installed. ​

Electrical Systems

  • New MCC with ICA section for process control and monitoring. ​
  • Solar panels for primary power supply, with backup from mains and a permanent generator. ​
  • Remote IO panel with HMI for chemical monitoring and control.

Environmental and Operational Benefits

  • Reduced abstraction from sensitive chalk groundwater sources. ​
  • Enhanced water quality and compatibility with Affinity Water’s network. ​
  • Improved resilience and operational efficiency of the reservoir. ​
  • Reduced construction waste and environmental impact through precast concrete solutions. ​

This project represents a significant step forward in sustainable water management and infrastructure resilience, ensuring high-quality drinking water while protecting the environment. ​

For further project details, visit Water Projects Online.