A Bespoke Pumping Station Solution for United Utilities
As water companies continue to invest in improving the performance and environmental resilience of the UK’s wastewater infrastructure, storm overflow management remains a key area of focus. For the London Road Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project in Northwich, Cheshire, SPEL Products supplied a bespoke SPEL WRc Approved H Series Packaged Pumping Station designed to provide additional storm water storage and support the reduction of combined sewer overflow discharges during periods of heavy rainfall. The project was delivered for United Utilities, with engineering support from RPS/Tetra Tech.
Project Background
Located at Artisan Way, Northwich, the London Road CSO scheme forms part of ongoing investment in wastewater network improvements. The purpose of the project was to provide additional storm sewage storage capacity, helping reduce the need for discharges into the River Dane during severe weather events. The system has been designed so that stored flows can be returned to the treatment process once capacity becomes available, helping operators manage storm conditions more effectively whilst protecting the surrounding environment.
This type of infrastructure plays an increasingly important role as water companies seek to improve network performance, increase operational resilience and reduce the environmental impact of storm overflow events.
The Challenge
The project required a pumping station capable of providing 30,000 litres of storage capacity while meeting the technical standards specified by United Utilities. The solution needed to offer long-term reliability, minimise maintenance requirements and provide confidence that the asset would continue to perform effectively throughout its operational life.
Meeting these requirements called for more than a standard off-the-shelf pumping station. The specification demanded a robust, quality-assured solution incorporating enhanced materials, a long design life and components suited to the operational demands of a critical wastewater asset.
The SPEL Solution
To meet the project’s requirements, SPEL supplied a PPS400/30000/WRc/HVY Packaged Pumping Station, providing 30,000 litres of sewage storage together with the pumping infrastructure required to return flows to the treatment process (a nearby wastewater treatment works) when instructed by the operator.
Manufactured to the SPEL WRc Approved specification, the pumping station was designed to provide the durability and performance expected within the UK water industry. The tank shell is the SPEL WRc Approved version, and is supported by a 30-year warranty, with an overall design life in excess of 60 years, providing assurance of long-term asset performance.
The station was also specified with 316-grade stainless steel components throughout and incorporated DN100 ductile iron pipework together with Xylem Flygt pump pedestals, ensuring compatibility with the pump equipment being supplied separately and specified by United Utilities.
Bespoke Engineering for Improved Performance
A key feature of this project was the bespoke internal design of the pumping station. SPEL engineered and manufactured a custom sump arrangement specifically to suit the selected pumps, pedestals and pipework configuration.
While often hidden from view, sump design is a critical aspect of pumping station performance. The geometry of the sump directly influences flow patterns, pump efficiency and the long-term operation of the system. By tailoring the sump configuration to the project’s exact requirements, SPEL was able to provide a fully integrated solution designed to optimise hydraulic performance and support reliable operation throughout the life of the asset.
This bespoke approach highlights the importance of designing pumping stations around the specific needs of each installation rather than relying solely on standardised layouts.
Supporting Long-Term Environmental Goals
Additional storm storage infrastructure forms an increasingly important part of wastewater network improvement programmes across the UK. By providing temporary storage during periods of high flow and enabling controlled return of wastewater to the treatment process, systems such as the London Road CSO pumping station help reduce pressure on the wider network and support environmental protection objectives.
For United Utilities, the installation provides a durable, high-specification solution designed to support both operational resilience and environmental performance for decades to come. Combining WRc-approved construction, long-life materials and bespoke engineering, the pumping station demonstrates how carefully designed infrastructure can contribute to improved wastewater management and watercourse protection.
See the tank leaving our factory:
