Crossness Sewage Treatment Works Upgrade
Crossness, East London · Ongoing into 2014 (Project duration not fully specified, but significant upgrade works were active around 2013-2014) [Evolution5] · £220m (upgrade works) [Evolution5] (Note: WaterProjectsOnline PDF mentions £145m in 2012, using the more recent £220m figure from 2013 article)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchEnvironmental enhancements at Crossness Nature Reserve and Southern Marshes, including habitat creation for water voles and birds [Evolution5] - Installation of a 2.3MW wind turbine to provide renewable energy and offset site power requirements [Evolution5] - Part of a three-pronged plan to address London\'s sewer problems, including the Lee Tunnel and Thames Tideway Tunnel [Premier Construction News] - The project aimed to improve effluent quality discharged to the River Thames, which is a key driver for the London Tideway Improvements programme [WaterProjectsOnline]
Key engineering challenges
Increasing treatment capacity by 44% to reduce storm sewage overflows into the River Thames, driven by the London Tideway Improvements programme [New Civil Engineer, WaterProjectsOnline] - Refurbishment and upgrading of existing works (originally constructed in 1894) while maintaining continuous operations [Evolution5, Grokipedia] - Integrating new elevated preliminary treatment works and wastewater treatment streams within a constrained site [Evolution5] - Addressing soft, alluvial marsh soils susceptible to subsidence and tidal flooding, necessitating specific foundation and flood protection measures [Grokipedia] - Implementing comprehensive power management improvements and additional odour control [Evolution5]
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Thames Water
- Lead contractor
- Tamesis (Joint Venture between Laing O’Rourke and Imtech Process) [Evolution5]
- Lead designers
- Mott MacDonald (administered variation account for Thames Water) [Evolution5]
- Project type
- upgrade | refurbishment
- Scale
- Treat 44% more sewage [Evolution5]; Serves approximately two million people [Evolution5]; 2.3MW wind turbine for renewable energy [Evolution5]
- Disciplines
- Civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; process; environmental
- Standards & frameworks
- CDM Regulations; Environmental Agency regulations
Sources: Grokipedia: https://grokipedia.com/page/crossness_sewage_treatment_works (Accessed: 2026-06-10) - Evolution5: https://evolution5.co.uk/evolution5-continue-involvement-with-crossness-sewage-treatment-works/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10) - WaterProjectsOnline: https://waterprojectsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/case_studies/2012/Crossness-STW-2012.pdf (Accessed: 2026-06-10) - New Civil Engineer: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/200m-crossness-upgrade-to-protect-river-thames-28-01-2010/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10) - Premier Construction News: https://premierconstructionnews.com/2013/09/25/crossness-sewage-works-gets-major-investment/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10)