A huge overland pipeline has been dismantled and removed following the completion of Scottish Water’s multi-million-pound upgrade of the local sewer network in Saltcoats.

Giant 12-metre-long sections of temporary pipe were bolted together above ground so that more than a kilometre of existing underground sewer could be relined.

The temporary structure carried up to 700-litres of waste water every second between a pumping station in Saltcoats to the treatment works in Stevenston, meaning customers were unaffected while the works were carried out.

Georgina Reid, Scottish Water’s corporate affairs manager for the west said:

“This has been a monumental effort by everyone concerned.

“The sheer scale of the operation was daunting, but our alliance partner and their specialist contractors worked tirelessly to complete the work required.

“This investment will now improve the resilience of the network, drastically reduce the likelihood of further bursts and protect the environment and local bathing beaches.”

Following a spate of bursts a £4 million project was developed to upgrade the pipeline.

Beginning in May 2023, over two kilometres of fencing was installed and around 100 sections of 700mm steel pipe shipped from the Netherlands and assembled using over 4,000 bolts.

Engineers also had to install two complex connections to allow flows to be diverted along the new temporary pipeline, and a five metre high pipe bridge had to be installed to allow access to a local caravan park, golf course and abattoir.

Georgina added:

“Scottish Water will continue to invest many millions of pounds on similar projects across the country to tackle the challenges of climate change, ageing infrastructure and increasing demand.”

The project was delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner, Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA).