Investing in your water future

As part of our Business Plan 2020-25, we promised to improve water quality and the sustainability of water security in Bournemouth in the face of a changing climate. This included significant investment at Alderney Water Treatment Works, which has been serving Bournemouth for over 100 years! We planned a huge transformation, using the very latest in water treatment technology – ceramic membranes. The plan was to replace the works and water filters at Alderney with a new ceramic membrane treatment works.

Although the design would have delivered the much-desired improvements in water quality and increased the resilience of treatment in Bournemouth, its energy consumption, the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on the cost of construction, and other environmental impacts were a growing concern. We listened to customers, other stakeholders, and our internal teams, and knew we could do better.

Design review

Our teams have been working closely with our contractors to find better and more efficient solutions. This has resulted in a new approach which improves the overall environmental impact of the works whilst still incorporating the new technology and ensuring world-class water quality for the future.

One way we can radically reduce the energy consumption of the site is by retaining some of the old infrastructure, so we’re keeping the sand filters as the preliminary treatment process.

We are then adding the new ceramic membrane technology as an additional treatment process. This will increase the sustainability and robustness of supply in Bournemouth whilst cutting the amount of power needed to run the site.

This change in design helps us to keep our promise to our customers of improving the water quality and sustainability of supply in Bournemouth whilst keeping costs down, lowering carbon emissions and protecting the environment.

Alderney will be designed to meet and overcome our future challenges, both locally and regionally.

Programme of work

Foundation-laying and other enabling work began in late 2021. We’re creating around 200 jobs during construction, hiring local people and only using suppliers and contractors who support the local supply chain.

We are working in a design-and-build approach. This means that our plan remains adaptable to any future environmental, regulatory or cost-benefit changes.

Latest News

Check out our latest updates on what's happening onsite below:

Spring 2024 Newsletter

Update October 2023 - Bournemouth Echo

Update October 2023

December 2022 Newsletter

September 2022 Newsletter

June 2022 Newsletter

Kier have now appointed Brian Roper as a Customer Liaison Officer for the scheme to handle any local issues and enquiries about the works. Brian has created a project mailbox and you can now contact him at alderneyclo@kier.co.uk

Q&A

Last updated on 27/10/2023

Q. What’s happening at Alderney Water Treatment Works (WTW), and why?

A. We’ve a vital role to play today and every day, providing customers with safe and clean drinking water, with the importance that has on health and hygiene. The Alderney WTW site is over 100 years old. That’s why we’re investing in significant improvements to the works, ensuring Bournemouth has a state-of-the-art water treatment works designed for our future challenges, both locally and regionally.

Our c.£110million investment to Alderney will:

• improve the region's drinking water quality
• improve the security and resilience of the region's water supply against extreme conditions
• create c.200 jobs during construction, supporting the local supply chain
• use the latest technology in our water treatment process which will be energy efficient and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions
• ensure the environmental impacts of the work have been assessed and mitigated during construction and operation.

We’re passionate about delivering world-class, clean, safe and reliable drinking water for our customers today and in the future.

Q. When will this work start, and how long will it last?

A. We’re going to start preparing the site towards the end of summer, and we plan to start the main construction in 2023. Main construction activities are underway and looking to complete by 2025.

Q. What will the working hours be during construction?

A. Our working hours in accordance with our planning conditions will be:

• Enabling Phase (including demolition and site clearance) - Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 9am-2pm
• Piling Phase - Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 9am-2pm
• Main Construction Phase - Monday to Friday 7am-7pm, 8am-2pm Saturday.

Q. How will I be affected by construction activities?

A. Naturally, during any major construction there’ll be some increase in noise and traffic. We’ll of course work hard to reduce the impact to local residents and businesses.

Q. How will the improved works visually impact the local area?

A. Careful consideration has been given to reduce the visual impact to local residents. The majority of the works will be screened by existing trees and foliage which is being maintained. We’re also enhancing what’s there to provide increased visual screening of the improved works.

Q. What will the improved WTW be like, will it be noisy?

A. The improved WTW will be no noisier than the existing works.

Q. Will the improved WTW affect the local environment?

A. We care deeply about sustainability and take our guardianship of the natural environment very seriously. That’s why we’ve undertaken a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment study for the installation and operation of the improved works.

It’s important to us that we protect local wildlife so we’re implementing biodiversity mitigation, including tree planting, bird and bat boxes, etc. 

We believe that zero harm to the environment is as important as zero harm for employees.

Q. Will the improved works be busier than the existing site?

A. No. Once all the construction work has been completed, the number of staff working at the site will remain the same.

Q. Will there be a benefit to the local community?

A. We’re pleased to be supporting the local supply chain by creating c.200 jobs during construction. It’s important to us that we use local resources and materials wherever possible, investing in our local communities and businesses.

Q. Will my supply of water be affected at all?

A. No, we’ll keep water flowing to your homes and businesses throughout the construction of this state-of-the-art water treatment works.  

Q. Will there be a large increase to my bill to pay for the improved works?

A. Absolutely not, we’ve planned for this project and it’s already been funded.