THAMES WATER LIVING FILTER INSTALLATION

THAMES WATER LIVING FILTER INSTALLATION

PROJECT BRIEF	Assigned to compile the comprehensive and vigorous paperwork required by Thames Water to undertake the installation of a living filter at Farmoor Resevoir.  The project comprised of several phases but primarily in the construction and anchoring systems for a series of floating reed beds housed in gabion baskets located in front of the pump house.  With the reservoir being man-made we used hydraulic machinery to drill into the reservoir substrate in which eyelets were secured using an environmental grouting product.  Following its construction we anchored the living filter system to deadweights accurately located and secured to the reservoir bed.
RESPONSIBILITIES	My principle responsibility was to listen to our contractor who were specialists in bio engineering and to understand the system they wanted to implement in the reservoir in creating a living filter system.  It was then my responsibility to compile the sequence of works and dive management system for approval by Thames Water’s Health and Safety and Environment team in an effort to obtain the finished product in compliance with legislation.
CLIENT	MMC Diving Services | Aquatic Engineering | Thames Water
CHALLENGES	Health and Safety protocol and environmental policies had to be scrupulously followed in accordance with local bylaws.  Due to the layout of the reservoir and the time of year, the prevailing conditions were often demanding.  The highest risk derived from the automatic activation of the pumping station which could potentially pull the team into the filtration system.  In an effort to prevent this from happening I was responsible for obtaining authorised closure of the pump station effectively shutting the water supply off for the entire national region during all dive related operations. Working to a very strict timescale was imperative as the pump stations were operated remotely from a central control station.  Cross contamination was also a factor that we had to consider and therefore very strict protocol had to be adhered to at all times.
RISK RATING	High Risk
OUTCOME	Project completed