The upgrade of a key Anglian Water asset in Corby will pave the way for future residential development in the Northamptonshire town where the population is expected to double over the next 30 years.

As part of the IOS Alliance, Barhale will lead works to enhance service capacity at the iconic Beanfield water towers and reservoir on the eastern edge of the existing settlement. The key focus will be the installation of new pumps to transfer potable water from the reservoir into the two towers which between them hold more than 4.54 million litres of water (Number 1 holds 1.14 million litres; Number 2 holds 3.41 million litres) and supply the town.

Built in the 1960s and 1970s. the distinctive water towers on Uppinham Road are part of an Anglian Water network which links Rutland Water to the Beanfield Reservoir and Water Towers via the Morcott and Wing Water Treatment Works.

Civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist, Barhale will install 2 № new 259 kW water pumps to provide the capacity to generate additional flow through the system. The new pumps will require works to install an additional 800 kVA mains power supply. To mitigate the event of mains power failure, Barhale will install a 550kVA generator with a 24000 litre fuel tank alongside the construction of a bund and a 7000 litre fuel oil separator to prevent the possibility of a pollution event.

Although the existing water pumps will be replaced. the work programme has been designed to ensure that there are no interruptions to supply to customers.

Barhale’s project manager Jedi Sznajder underlined the importance of the works to meet Corby’s anticipated future development.

“It looks like Corby is going to see dramatic growth over the next few decades and that inevitably means there will be real pressure on utilities,” he said. “The work we are carrying out at the Beanfield site is an important strategic intervention which will significantly increase the capacity of the water supply infrastructure and ensure Anglian Water is able to meet future demand.”

The IOS Alliance was set up in 2015 as a partnership within Anglian Water to concentrate on capital maintenance across the Anglian Water asset portfolio. It comprises Anglian Water, Barhale, Morrison Water Services and Kier. Together they ensure the infrastructure’s longevity and effectiveness.

Work is due to start imminently with completion earmarked for Q3 2024.