Katrine Water Project
Loch Katrine to Milngavie and Balmore Water Treatment Works, Greater Glasgow, Scotland, UK · 2000-2005 (Construction start July 2002, completion April 2005) · £100 million
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchExtensive Value Management process considered over 900 options for WTW locations, reservoir locations, and treatment processes. - Pilot plants were used to test treatment processes (dissolved air flotation, Direct Filtration, membrane filtration) and the blending of Loch Lomond/Katrine waters. - The project utilized an IChemE ‘Green’ Book Conditions of Contract with a paid/gain share mechanism and emphasized partnering for 'best value'. - The project demonstrates the significant investment required to meet evolving water quality regulations.
Key engineering challenges
Upgrading water supply for 700,000 customers to meet stringent water quality standards, including cryptosporidium requirements. - Integrating new treatment works and pipelines with existing Victorian infrastructure. - Managing a complex project with challenging time and budgetary targets. - Implementing a new Direct Filtration system and pioneering the use of lime water for precise pH control in a UK water treatment works. - Ensuring high architectural quality for the new WTW, which was sunk into a hillside to preserve views in an area of heritage importance.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Scottish Water (formerly West of Scotland Water)
- Lead contractor
- Stirling Water (consortium of MJ Gleeson, Montgomery Watson Harza, and Thames Water)
- Lead designers
- Stirling Water consortium; Environmental Resources Management (ERM); E C Harris; Keppie Design; Gillespie Landscape Architects.
- Project type
- new build | upgrade
- Scale
- New 240Ml/d Water Treatment Works at Milngavie; 80Ml and 140Ml treated water storage reservoirs; 12km of connecting pipelines (200m of 900mm diameter, 2.1km of 1500mm diameter, 250m of 1500mm diameter tunnel); 340,000m3 excavation; 56,000m3 concrete.
- Disciplines
- civil; process; hydraulic; environmental; architectural
- Standards & frameworks
- IChemE ‘Green’ Book Conditions of Contract; Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) requirements; relevant UK water quality legislation.
Sources: "Katrine Water Project", Louise Adamson, Water Projects - Scotland, 2002, https://waterprojectsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/case_studies/2002/Katrine-Water-Supply-Project-2002.pdf - "Loch Katrine Aqueduct upgrade works water supplies improvements", Scottish Water, https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/In-Your-Area/Investments-in-Your-Area/Loch-Katrine-Aqueduct