The Alderney Water Treatment Works upgrade has entered its final commissioning phase, marking a major milestone in Bournemouth Water’s long-term infrastructure investment programme.
The £115 million project, which began in October 2023, forms part of a wider £200 million initiative to modernise water treatment systems, improve environmental performance and strengthen resilience against climate change. Once complete, the upgraded facility will deliver cleaner, more reliable drinking water across the region.
Significant progress at Alderney Water Treatment Works
Over the past year, substantial progress has been made as the site moves towards operational readiness. Bournemouth Water has constructed four new treatment facilities equipped with advanced electrical and mechanical systems designed to ensure water is fully treated to meet safety and quality standards.
Approximately 20km of electrical and fibre-optic cabling has been installed to support site-wide operations, alongside a new surface water drainage system to manage rainfall and prevent excess water flow. Buildings across the site have also been weatherproofed with updated roofing and cladding.
Installation of dosing systems is currently underway to regulate chlorine levels and maintain drinking water safety. In parallel, upgrades to the site’s power infrastructure, including new generators and transformers, are nearing completion to enhance operational reliability.
Testing activities are ongoing, with water being circulated through sections of the new treatment process to confirm systems are functioning as intended. Work has also begun on permanent roads and footpaths, signalling the transition from construction to operational use.
Granulated activated carbon to enhance treatment performance
A key upcoming stage in the Alderney Water Treatment Works upgrade is the installation of granulated activated carbon (GAC), a critical component in advanced water treatment processes. The material will be installed in the new treatment building before undergoing flushing and preparation for operational use.
Once fully integrated, water will be processed through the complete treatment system and subject to rigorous testing to ensure it meets strict safety and quality standards ahead of full commissioning later this year.
What the Alderney Water Treatment Works upgrade means for water treatment
The Alderney Water Treatment Works upgrade reflects a broader shift within the water sector towards advanced treatment technologies designed to address increasing regulatory, environmental and operational pressures.
Modern treatment facilities are increasingly incorporating multi-stage processes that combine mechanical, chemical and biological systems to improve water quality and resilience. Technologies such as granulated activated carbon play a vital role in removing organic compounds, taste and odour issues, and emerging contaminants that are more difficult to address using conventional methods.
Investment in upgraded infrastructure also supports improved energy efficiency and operational control. The integration of digital monitoring systems and automated dosing technologies enables operators to respond more effectively to changes in water quality and demand.
Projects of this scale are becoming essential as utilities respond to population growth, climate variability and stricter regulatory requirements. By enhancing treatment capability and system reliability, upgrades such as Alderney contribute to long-term water security and environmental protection.
Delivering long-term resilience for customers
Richard Stanbrook, Director of Drinking Water Services at Bournemouth Water, said: “We’re now entering one of the most important phases of the Alderney project as we bring the new systems online.
“This investment will transform how we treat and deliver drinking water for over 250,000 customers, ensuring a more resilient, efficient and sustainable service for the future.”
As commissioning continues, systems will be brought online in stages, with close monitoring to ensure performance meets design expectations before the site becomes fully operational.
Explore more infrastructure and treatment updates in our Water Management section.
