Severn Trent and Barhale have identified a £2 million saving on an upgrade to Ravenstone Sewage Treatment Works in Leicestershire by retaining and optimising existing infrastructure.
Following an early contractor involvement (ECI) phase, Barhale has been appointed to deliver the main design and build contract for the wastewater treatment project.
Existing assets retained following hydraulic assessments
Severn Trent identified the need to upgrade Ravenstone following six years of monitoring dry weather flows at the treatment works.
The project is intended to increase both hydraulic and treatment capacity while tightening final effluent standards, including meeting the requirements of a new ammonia permit.
During the ECI phase, Barhale carried out hydraulic assessments to determine how effectively the site’s existing infrastructure could accommodate the required increase in capacity.
The assessments found that key structures could be retained rather than replaced with new assets.
According to the project team, this approach is expected to reduce construction requirements and mechanical complexity while delivering a £2 million saving.
New treatment infrastructure planned at Ravenstone
While a number of existing assets will be refurbished and optimised, the project will also introduce new treatment and wastewater infrastructure.
This includes new storm and sludge tanks alongside SAF (Submerged Aerated Filter) tanks and package pumping stations.
Associated pipework, manholes and ducting will also be installed.
The upgrade additionally includes new mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation (MEICA) systems, including motor control centres and kiosks.
Upgrade designed to accommodate future demand
The increased treatment capacity is intended to help Ravenstone accommodate additional wastewater flows associated with housing development in the surrounding area.
This includes 105 homes at Wash Lane, with the upgraded treatment works being designed to accommodate projected demand through to 2050.
“New housing developments, including the 105 homes at Wash Lane, increase demand on existing wastewater infrastructure,” said Sean McCormick, Contracts Manager at Barhale.
“This upgrade will ensure the site can meet that demand to 2050 while complying with tighter environmental standards under the AMP8 WINEP programme.”
The project forms part of investment during AMP8, the water industry’s current five-year asset management period in England and Wales.
Early involvement targets cost and programme savings
The ECI process allowed the project team to assess the capacity and condition of existing assets before finalising the main construction programme.
By identifying infrastructure that could continue to be used, the project has reduced the amount of new construction required at the treatment works.
“The successful ECI work allowed us to make better use of capacity within the existing assets to reduce cost and accelerate programme delivery,” McCormick added.
Construction at Ravenstone Sewage Treatment Works is scheduled to begin in September 2026.
The upgrade is expected to be completed in autumn 2027.
How much is being saved on the Ravenstone Sewage Treatment Works upgrade?
Severn Trent and Barhale say the early contractor involvement phase has identified a £2 million saving by allowing existing infrastructure to be retained and optimised rather than constructing additional assets.
What work is planned at Ravenstone Sewage Treatment Works?
The project includes refurbishment and optimisation of existing assets alongside new storm, sludge and submerged aerated filter tanks, package pumping stations, pipework, manholes, ducting and MEICA systems.
Why is Ravenstone Sewage Treatment Works being upgraded?
The upgrade is intended to increase hydraulic and treatment capacity to accommodate future demand while meeting tighter final effluent standards, including the requirements of a new ammonia permit.
When will the Ravenstone wastewater upgrade be completed?
Work is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with completion expected in autumn 2027.
