Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve is managed and by Durham Wildlife Trust. Due to the location of this water disposal project and the sensitive ecological environment, many protections were required while undertaking the works. 3.5m deep excavations for the sewage treatment unit required considerations for the protection of any animals which may come to harm through the nature of the works. Mitigations such as ramps to allow animals to get out of the trenches, if they became trapped, were introduced.
Working with Durham Wildlife Trust we put in place mitigations which allowed the safe and successful installation of a 5.5m x 3m inspection chamber unit; 10m x 2.5m treatment unit; pumping station and relevant electrical connections; outfall to adjacent watercourse; outlets and drainage connections and 60m of 100mm drainage pipework.
Early engagement with our supply chain allowed us to introduce an alternative fouls water septic tank which increased efficiency and reduced servicing and maintenance costs, reducing the whole-life cost. Also, an insufficient fall from the outfall was identified and a new design created and resubmitted to the client for approval before construction.
