Glencorse Water Treatment Works - Midlothian
Scottish Water is building a new water treatment works at Glencorse in Midlothian, as part of the Edinburgh Drinking Water Project; a strategic programme of capital investment to build a new water treatment works (WTW) and replace ageing mains and storage tanks providing water to Edinburgh and surrounding areas.
Our aim is to facilitate the city’s continued expansion and improve the quality of drinking water in Edinburgh. It will also allow us to provide 21st century water treatment facilities, to meet strict European guidelines on drinking water quality.
Latest Project News
Archaeological Open Day - a historical success! 16th March 2010
The Glencorse Project Team held an Open Day on Saturday 13th March to promote the rich heritage that is being unearthed during construction. Working with the City of Edinburgh and CFA Archaeology, we were hosts to 170 visitors to the site of a World War II camp, thought to have been founded in the wake of the Allies’ defeat at Dunkirk in 1940. Occupied by the Durham Light Infantry, the camp then became home for ‘displaced persons’ for a few years after the war.
Lynsey Tweedlie, Scottish Water’s Project Manager for the Glencorse Pipelines commented, “We were always aware of the local interest surrounding historical finds, and took the opportunity to invite neighbours to visit our working areas and see first hand the evidence of earlier occupation”. Lynsey continued, “The local community turned out in great numbers and everyone recorded their appreciation to learn more about their area. We had lots of discussions about the local history as well as many opportunities to answer questions on our new construction activities”.
Further information was shared regarding the finds of musket balls which are believed to have originated from the 17th Century when Oliver Cromwell resided with a local landowner. Further evidence of the Cormwellian camp will hopefully be revealed during on-going preparations for the pipeline construction.
Kenny Naylor, Senior Project Manager for the Glencorse Project commented, “The local community were involved in the project at the very beginning in 2008 when we unearthed evidence of a Roman marching camp, and working with near neighbours, we repositioned the new Water Treatment Works to everyone’s satisfaction which allowed the Roman Camp to remain intact”.
Kenny concluded, “The numbers attending the Open Day are testament to the value placed on local history and it provided a great opportunity for visitors to learn more about the 15km of pipelines and new Water Treatment Works we are building which will link with Edinburgh’s existing water infrastructure next year.”
Click here (pdf) for photographs of the Open Day.
Glencorse Time Team - 11th March 2010
Over the last few weeks, our archaeologists have been investigating the site of an old World War II camp, which was situated near the Edinburgh City Bypass, just off Frogston Road.
The findings are to be displayed at an open event on Saturday 13th March between 11.00 - 3.00. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the recent history of the Mortonhall area. The camp is located on the route of the new pipeline which will take clear, fresh drinking water from the finished Glencorse Water Treatment Works into the City.
Those participating in the event will have the chance to view the excavated remains of site huts, as well as artefacts which include belt buckles and uniform buttons, and learn more about the other discoveries made during the course of this project. Future work hopes to find evidence for the remains of a Cromwellian encampment close to the site of this WWII camp. This is a one off opportunity to view artefacts which could even date back as far as the early 16th century.
Click here (pdf) for full details of the Open Day.
Richard Anderson Bids Farewell - 17th February 2010
The start of any New Year always brings a sense of fresh starts and this year in particular brings about a change to the project team at Glencorse as Richard Anderson moves to pastures new and Kenny Naylor takes over as the lead of Scottish Water’s Glencorse Project Team.
Kenny commented; “I am looking forwards to maintaining the great performance of the team and getting to grips with the challenges of commissioning the new Works and pipelines.”
Richard added; “With Kenny having spent many years working with the Black & Veatch team during the construction of the Milngavie Water Treatment Works, it is a really smooth handover as Kenny meets with colleagues who are now delivering the Glencorse project.”
Richard Anderson is pictured ‘handing over the reins’ to Kenny Naylor, Senior Project Manager, Scottish Water.
New e:Letter Released
The latest edition of our e:Letter is now available. Click below to read the latest news on how the project is progressing.
Click here to view the e:letter (pdf).
Happy New Year From Glencorse
The site re-opened on the 4th of January after the traditional two-week shutdown for the festive period. With the snow and ice almost gone, the construction site is back to full operation. Equipment for the treatment building is arriving daily and excellent progress is being made on the Clear Water Tank.
Click here to see the latest photographs from the construction site.
Glencorse gets VIP Visitor
The Project Team welcomed a VIP guest when the new President of the Institution of Civil Engineers visited the project as part of his first formal engagement in the role.
Professor Paul Jowitt, Professor of Civil Engineering Systems and Heriot Watt University and a former board member of Scottish Water, was among 30 members of the ICE who toured the site. The visit coincided with the Scottish launch of a major report by the ICE into the challenges of reducing the carbon footprint of major infrastructure projects across the UK.“The Glencorse project is a great example of using cutting edge innovation in both the sustainable construction and operation of the plant and the visit proved extremely interesting for our members – despite the bad weather!” said Professor Jowitt.
Information on Road Closure - 6th November 2009
An essential part of the Glencorse Project is the new water mains that will carry treated water from the treatment works to the existing water network. To allow this work to take place, a section of Glencorse Kirk Road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians for three weeks commencing Monday 9th of November. Diversions will be signposted.
The road has now been re-opened. Apologies for any disruption.
Click here to see a map of the road closure (pdf).
Heriot Watt University Students – 3rd November 2009
Site tours were conducted for more than 100 students from Heriot Watt University last month.
Neil McCulloch and Lynsey Tweedlie from the project team visited the University beforehand to give the Civil Engineering students an informative briefing on the project. The first year students, who were just a few weeks into their five year course, were then given a guided tour of the site. During the visit they had the opportunity to meet key personnel from Scottish Water and Black & Veatch and ask them questions about the project.
Their lecturer, Dr. Pauline Thompson, has already requested a follow up visit to the site for next year. Dr Thompson said:
“The visit to Glencorse was superb. Not only did they get to learn a lot about this fascinating project but they also got to meet a lot of ‘real’ engineers! What a great start for our students so early in their studies - an invaluable experience!”
Click here to see the latest photographs from the construction site.
Residents Visit - 7th October 2009
The project team conducted a second site tour for local residents this week. The tour was well attended with almost twenty residents coming along to the evening visit, the youngest of them being eight years old! Residents who had visited the site in May of this year commented on the huge transformation that had taken place in just five months. Those visiting for the first time were amazed at the scale of the project since so little of the works can be seen from the main road.
The visit was a great opportunity for the team to explain how the project is progressing and what is going to happen over the next few months. We will invite our neighbours to the site for another visit in the Spring.
In Focus Article - 16th September 2009
This quarter, our In Focus article looks at the green roof aspect of the Glencorse Project. The article explains why a grass roof is important to the project and the benefits of green roof technology.
Click here to find out more about what will be the largest grass roof structure in Scotland (pdf).
£500 Donation to Local Charity – 7th September 2009
We were delighted to present a £500 cheque to the Beeslack All Stars. The All Stars are a disability sports group that offer a range of activities including football, archery, and basketball to children aged five to 16. More than 60 young people attend the twice-weekly sessions.
The Glencorse team recently picked up the Scottish Water Award for ‘Excellence in Health and Safety’, as sponsored by Mott McDonald. The first prize was a £500 cheque for the charity of their choice.
Senior Project Manager, Richard Anderson said: “We didn’t have to think too hard in order to nominate our favourite local charity. The son of one of our catering team is involved with the All Stars and we know how important it is in the life of these young athletes.”
Back to School – 20th August 2009
During the last academic session, the project team worked with three local primary schools to provide pupils with education about the Glencorse project.
This involved activities both within the classroom and on the construction site. We arranged for pupils from P4 to visit the construction site and the pipe production plant for a guided tour. We also worked with the Countryside Rangers from Pentland Hills Regional Park to give the pupils the opportunity to take part in some water related activities at the Park. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed learning about the project and are looking forward to coming back to see the progress that has been made on site.
The project team will continue to work with schools and have some exciting activities planned for the new term!
Click here to read more about our work with schools.
Information on Road Closure - 14th August 2009
Bush Loan Road has now been re-opened. We had to close this road for a period of 3 weeks in order to connect the pipework that will carry clean water from the new treatment works to the existing water network. The work has been completed successfully. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Considerate Constructors – 10th August 2009
The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a national initiative aimed at improving the image of the construction industry. Sites that register with the scheme are monitored against a Code of Considerate Practice. Construction sites are assessed on a number of factors such as whether they are good neighbours, environmentally conscious, respectful and safe.
Our construction partner, Black and Veatch, have registered the Glencorse site with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and we recently received a very positive report after an assessment of the Glencorse project. All areas that were assessed achieved a grading of 'high level beyond compliance' or 'exceptional measures taken'. Highlighted in the report was the consideration given to the environmentally sensitive area. Also praised were the welfare facilities on site and the level of communication with stakeholders.
Countryside Rangers Visit - 6th August 2009
Rangers and volunteers from the Pentland Hills Regional Park were invited to take part in a guided tour of the construction site last week. The Countryside Rangers thoroughly enjoyed their tour and were particularly interested in the ‘green’ aspects of the project such as the grass roof and the hydro turbine. The living roof will help the treatment works to blend into the surrounding countryside and the hydro turbine will harness the power of the water to generate approximately one third of electricity required to run the works.
The treatment works is on the doorstep of the Regional Park and the Rangers now feel better equipped to answer questions from visitors to the park regarding the Glencorse project.
Click here to visit the Pentland Hills Regional Park website.
New e:Letter Released - 31st July 2009
The latest edition of our e:Letter is now available. Click below to read the latest news on who has been visiting the site and how the project is progressing.
Click here to view the e:letter (pdf).
