Relocating Guildford sewage treatment works
We've agreed to relocate our Guildford sewage treatment works (STW). This is so the development of the new Weyside Urban Village can take place. The move is in agreement with the Guildford Borough Local Plan.
The project will include thousands of new homes and new community facilities. It will also help improve the local area with 6,500m² of commercial space.
Guildford Borough Council is funding the relocation project. We’re working closely together to ensure a smooth overlap on both our projects. Our remediation strategy has been approved by the planning authority and stakeholders.
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Construction update (June 2024)
We are pleased to say that we've started construction. We've been working with Surrey County Council to discharge planning conditions.
The main tunnel drive connecting the old network to the new is mainly complete. We've compacted the site and installed over 3,500 piles.
The above and below-ground civil engineering elements has also been started. Work is underway to provide power to the site and is due to be completed in May 2025. We've also begun work installing our new outfall pipe work. This will allow for the treated water to go back to the environment.
There is no longer a need for 24-hour working. However, there will still be some nighttime activities to install the sewer connections.
Tunnel boring machine at its end point after covering 1400m of distance.
Rapid Impact Compaction Rig used to compact the site. This ensures landfill overtime won't cause significant settlement issues.
Piling rigs driving piles into the ground to provide stability to ground structures.
Transfer tunnel (started and due to complete autumn 2024)
We are constructing a tunnel to take wastewater from the existing sewers to the new STW. To do this involves sinking a series of deep shafts below ground. This then allows us to build a tunnel and connect the existing sewage pipes.
The sinking of the shafts will be carried out during our normal working hours. However, there will still be some nighttime activities to implement the sewer connections.
There will be no construction traffic outside of the normal working hours . We intend to minimise disturbance for our neighbours during these works. We'll give you advanced notice if we think you may be affected.
Throughout we'll be monitoring noise, lighting, vibration, odour, dust and traffic. We will undertake measures to keep these at a minimum.
Benefits of the project
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Capacity for treatment of wastewater will be increased for a population of at least 120,000
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The site will have space for future expansion. This will be in line with modelled growth and the impact of climate change
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Our proposal will result in 10% net gain in biodiversity value
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Minimising the long-term visual impacts of the site. We'll do this by improving and supplementing the north trees which screen the site
How we're working to reduce impact
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We’re using the latest odour control methods to minimise any impacts on our neighbours
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Our new discharge location will not impact the flooding potential in the River Wey. We’re providing increased storm capacity
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Work will not impact the nearby allotments. Mitigation will be in place to reduce the impact of noise or light during construction
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There will be no increase in traffic once the site is operational. Construction traffic will avoid peak hours where possible
How we'll build our new STW
Our relocation project has three key elements and will be done in four phases:
Phase 1: Ground improvement (started and due to complete August 2024)
We've completed compaction work to stabilize the landfill site at Slyfield Industrial Estate. We're now in the final phase of driving concrete piles into the ground. This will help support the structures that are going to be built.
You may hear this and see a slight increase in traffic due to deliveries. In addition, we're undertaking additional ground support techniques. However, it is not anticipated that this will be heard off-site.
Phase 2: Civil engineering (started and due to complete summer 2025)
This will involve laying pipes underground, receiving timber deliveries and building concrete structures. These will be built on-site from steel and concrete.
Where we can, we will use pre-cast concrete panels. They are built off-site and then assembled on-site. This will make it quicker, safer, involve fewer deliveries, and create less noise.
Phase 3: Mechanical and electrical engineering (summer 2024 to autumn 2025)
Phase 4: Commissioning (winter 2025/26 to autumn 2026)
Get in touch
If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch. Call us on 0800 316 9800 selecting option 1 and quoting BB00425695.
For business customers, please contact your retailer for additional information.