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Donegan Civil Engineering

Wilmslow WwTW – Civil Engineering Works

Reinforced concrete bases & chambers, containment & access upgrades, and ducting & drainage to create a clean, MEICA-ready interface

By: Valentine Donegan

Published: November 19, 2025

Wilmslow WwTW – Civil Engineering Works

WES engaged V J Donegan & Co. Ltd to deliver the civil engineering infrastructure for a new process installation at Wilmslow WwTW. Working safely in a live process environment, we constructed reinforced concrete bases and chambers, delivered containment and access upgrades, and installed ducting and drainage to create a clean, MEICA-ready interface.

United Utilities’ solution for Wilmslow comprises new process equipment facilities, EDM on storm spills, FFT monitoring and a new potable-water system to support the site.

Scope of Works

V J Donegan’s solution encompassed:

Reinforced concrete foundations & slabs for equipment kiosks – Precision-set RC slabs and upstands built to tight tolerances for “plug-and-play” installation of new process equipment.
New valve chamber & interconnecting civils – Construction of the two-way valve chamber with associated excavation, surrounds and backfill, plus the interconnections specified for the process system.
Containment & bunded delivery area – Construction of a kerbed, membrane-lined, falls-managed delivery area with speed humps and drainage in order to improve safety and compliance for tanker operations.
Service trenching, ducting & draw pits – Trenching for process lines, multi-way duct routes and draw pits to suit WES’s kiosk layouts and future maintenance access.
Access, reinstatement & handover – Traffic-management features, neat tie-ins, and reinstatement to leave a MEICA-ready platform aligned to United Utilities’ monitoring and process requirements.

Challenges & how we solved them

Live-site working, tight footprint – We sequenced slabs, chambers and services to open safe parallel work-fronts and maintain clear vehicle/pedestrian routes for the WwTW which was still live during construction.
Interfaces & tolerances – Early set-out checks with WES ensured bolt patterns, penetrations and duct positions landed first time, reducing on-site assembly and outage windows.
Deliveries & containment – The bunded off-loading area with kerb restraint, drainage and traffic calming was designed to streamline deliveries and protect the environment.

Outcome / Client benefits

A clean, compliant civils platform enabling EDM and FFT monitoring equipment to be installed and commissioned efficiently.
Safer, quicker deliveries via a purpose-built, bunded delivery area and improved site access.
Low-disruption build aligned with off-line installation principles to minimise interaction with the live plant.

Wilmslow WwTW – Civil Engineering Works

Reinforced concrete bases & chambers, containment & access upgrades, and ducting & drainage to create a clean, MEICA-ready interface

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