Thames Water has awarded its first major contract of AMP7 to Laing O’Rourke for its project to upgrade the Beckton sewage works starting in early 2021.
The project at Beckton, which is the largest sewage works in Europe, is scheduled to take three years as a new inlet works is installed and the the aeration lanes and settlement tanks are extended.
John Bentley, Thames’ capital delivery director, said: “Awarding this contract is a significant milestone as it is the first major project awarded as part of our £5 billion capital investment plan for the next five years. By ensuring we can take the flow from the ‘super sewer’, this project will help to improve the quality of the River Thames, as well as making sure the site is ready to handle the expected increase in London’s population in the future.”
The treatment works date back to 1864. It was built by Joseph Bazalgatte as part of his sewer system for the capital and now treats the wastewater of more than four million people.
Laing O’Rourke also worked on an upgrade to the site six years ago.