Computer Generated "Fly-through"

The Glencorse design team have produced a digital model of the new treatment works. From this model a computer generated "fly-through" has been created showing the works and surrounding countryside.

The journey starts at the Castle Law Hillfort travelling south, soon the A702 road comes into view then the virtual camera swoops down and around the new works.

The living grass roofs and landscape design have been added so you may have to view more than once to pick out the various buildings. The Pentland Hills and surrounding farm land can also be seen in the back ground.

Click on here or on the image above to download the 2MB windows media video file which will play in Windows Media Player.

The treatment process at Glencorse will consist of:

Coagulation – Colloids and other impurities in the raw water need to be removed. Coagulants like alum (Aluminium Sulphate) are used to help bind the impurities together to form particles. This process is called solid-liquid separation, and requires precise dosing (measurement in milligrams per litre) and pH control along with good mixing to be effective.

Flocculation – By adding chemicals called polymers, the particles formed during the process of coagulation are further increased in size for effective removal. The choice of the polymers used may differ with the quality of the raw water.

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) – This is a clarification process in which the impurities are floated to the surface, instead of being allowed to settle at the bottom. A mass of fine bubbles is created by saturating the water with air under high pressure, and these are then released and mixed with the flocculated raw water to help float the impurities to the surface.  These impurities gradually collect to form a layer on the top which is skimmed at regular intervals into a separate channel, whilst the remaining water underneath, is allowed to pass onto filters.

Rapid Gravity Filtration – This process removes any remaining impurities through filtration using either sand or a mixture consisting of anthracite (coal) and sand. 

CoCoDAFF - Glencorse will be design using the innovative CoCoDAFF (Counter Current Dissolved Air Flotation & Filtration) system. This method of treatment combines the dissolved air flotation and rapid gravity filters into one process unit. This reduces the treatment works foot print size and reduces the size of the flocculation tanks as some flocculation occurs in the CoCoDAFF units. This helps significantly in achieving the "low impact" building and aids in visual mitigation of the structure(s).

Sludge – This is the by-product left over from the clarification and filtration processes. This is disposed of by passing it directly to the sewer where it can be treated in a waste water treatment works away from Glencorse. 

Pipelines

To deliver treated water from the new Works at Glencorse to the existing water distribution network in Edinburgh, over 8km of twin pipes approx 1100mm in diameter need to be constructed. The route of these pipelines requires careful consideration from engineering, environmental and social perspectives.

Click on the drawing below to see the current routes for the treated water pipelines from Glencorse to the existing distribution points at Fairmilehead and Alnwickhill. All land owners will be contacted during the planning stages and the most appropriate route agreed.

To help answer some questions on the pipelines and associated activites we have produced a Q&A sheet. Please click here to view a copy.

An Environmental Impact Assessment will be carried out on the pipeline route as well as the treatment works which will address the impact of the pipeline construction on the local habitats and communities.