Costain has been awarded a contract by Severn Trent to deliver major upgrades at Rugby Newbold Sewage Treatment Works, aimed at increasing capacity and improving operational resilience.
The project will see Costain act as both principal contractor and principal designer, delivering a new activated sludge plant as part of a wider programme of infrastructure improvements at the site.
The upgrade will increase the site’s dry weather flow capacity by 28%, from 21,600 cubic metres per day to 27,598 cubic metres per day, helping the facility meet AMP8 Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) requirements.
The new activated sludge system will use biological treatment processes to remove organic contaminants from wastewater, integrating with the site’s existing infrastructure.
Activated sludge plant upgrades to increase wastewater treatment capacity
In addition to the new treatment plant, the scheme includes the construction of new pumping stations, four final settlement tanks measuring 29 metres in diameter, and a chemical dosing facility.
Further upgrades will expand the site’s inlet works and increase both feed and stormwater handling capacity, supporting improved performance during periods of heavy rainfall and reducing the likelihood of overflows.
The project is valued at approximately £45 million and is scheduled for completion by 2028.
Costain will apply its Production Thinking methodology, incorporating off-site manufacturing (OSM) and design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) to improve construction efficiency, safety and delivery timelines.
Matt Bateman, Water Sector Director at Costain, said the project builds on the company’s long-standing relationship with Severn Trent and its focus on delivering efficient infrastructure solutions.
Andrew King, Delivery Business Lead at Severn Trent, added that the upgrades will enable the site to better manage stormwater and improve service reliability for local communities.
More coverage of wastewater infrastructure projects can be found in the H2O Global News wastewater section.
