Thames Water has successfully installed pipes made of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) in the Northern Outfall Sewer (NOS) at Stratford High Street.
Photo: Thames Water engineer in the Northern Outfall Sewer
The installation of the first section of GRP lining in the NOS at Stratford High Street, marks a pivotal moment in the £70 million upgrade to future proof the Victorian sewer.
The water company said the use of GRP will make the sewer more durable and will help provide reliable services for generations to come as the population of the capital increases.
The NOS is built above ground along an embankment, serving as a critical “underbridge” that helps to support key roads and railways that are placed over it. The underbridge at Stratford High Street is particularly vital as it supports a dual carriageway used by more than 40,000 vehicles each day.
Over time the sewer soffit had weakened but with the installation of new durable GRP liners, the giant trunk sewer is reinforced to manage full traffic loads and is designed to last 120 years.
The company, worked with Principal Designer and Contractor McAllister to deliver an innovative solution with minimal disruption to the area. The bespoke GRP was manufactured off-site, with the different sections transported and carefully installed through an opening of the sewer adjacent to the road. Once this was completed, the GRP was then pushed into position under the carriageway. Precision was required with limited space around the units to manoeuvre.
Richard Smith, Senior Project Manager at Thames Water said:
“This was a collaborative effort between our teams - working together to improve resilience of our pipes so they can withstand the pressures of climate change and population growth, so we can deliver reliable services to our customers. Strengthening this sewer system, ensures that we can continue delivering life’s essential service while safeguarding our customers, communities, and the environment.”
Dan Watson, UK Managing Director at McAllister Group commented:
“McAllister have been cleaning, inspecting and maintaining various sections of the Northern Outfall sewer for many years, whilst at the same time admiring the original workmanship and vision of Joseph Bazalgette. To now be given the opportunity to work with Thames Water and inject a further 120 years of life back into the sections beneath Stratford Hight Street, with modern trenchless technology is an honour”.
The Victorian pipes were originally constructed between 1860 – 1865 with each sewer measuring 2.7metres in diameter – wastewater flows through the pipes at a rate of up to 20,000 litres per second.
The first two of eight sections have now been completed and when finished the total length of lined sewer will be 200m. This phased approach has allowed the rest of NOS to continue in operation to maximise sewer flows to Beckton Sewage Works for treatment.
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