The Exmouth Outfall Project is a multi-phased upgrade designed to bolster water quality, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance the resilience of wastewater assets in Exmouth and the surrounding catchment. Following the successful offshore construction of a new long sea outfall near Sandy Bay in early 2024, the next phase focuses on modernising two key sewage pumping stations (SPS) and implementing additional environmental safeguards. These upgrades support compliance with the Environment Agency’s Emergency Overflow Policy, provide improved resilience to extreme weather events, and significantly reduce the environmental impact of storm discharges into coastal waters. The project’s location near sensitive natural and recreational areas, including a Blue Flag beach and a major holiday park, required detailed coordination to maintain public access, reduce ecological disturbance, and respect the operational needs of local stakeholders.
Project overview
The Exmouth Outfall Project is part of the broader Exmouth Shellfish Water Nutrient Delivery (SW_ND) initiative. This integrated investment programme is designed to ensure that wastewater infrastructure in the region operates to the highest standards of reliability, sustainability, and environmental protection. The current phase focuses on the following objectives:
Increased flow capacity: Improvements at two pumping stations ensure that the system can effectively manage larger stormwater volumes, reducing the risk of emergency discharges during peak rainfall events.
Enhanced screening & compliance: New systems will ensure that all discharges are appropriately screened, improving water quality in receiving waters.
Improved reliability & resilience: Upgrades include improved power systems and control mechanisms to ensure consistent operations, even under adverse conditions.
These enhancements play a key role in improving the overall performance of the wastewater network while supporting the water quality designations of nearby shellfish harvesting zones and bathing waters.
Engineering & infrastructure upgrades - pumping stations
The project includes substantial mechanical and electrical improvements at both Maer Road and Phear Park Pumping Stations, along with associated upgrades at Maer Lane Sewage Treatment Works (STW).
The improvements involve replacing older pumping equipment with high-efficiency variable speed drives, optimised to handle varying flows while minimising energy consumption. The control panels and instrumentation are being replaced with new, robust systems that allow for greater automation and remote monitoring. Where possible, old infrastructure is being re-purposed or carefully integrated into new systems to reduce waste and maintain operational continuity.
Sites have also been equipped with enhanced power resilience features. These include alternative power supplies or standby systems designed to ensure uninterrupted service during grid outages. Structural improvements have also been made to allow for safer maintenance practices, such as the installation of load-handling equipment to support future repairs or replacements.
[caption id="attachment_23557" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (top left) Transformer cofferdam, (top right) transformer reinforcement base slab, (bottom left) transformer cofferdam formwork, and (bottom right) electrical infrastructure upgrades completed - Courtesy of Galliford Try[/caption]
Screening enhancements
Improved mechanical screening is a core element of the upgrades, ensuring that all flows are treated to meet current discharge consent requirements. New systems are capable of capturing fine debris from storm overflows, minimising the impact on the environment. This supports South West Water’s commitment to safeguarding designated bathing waters and ecologically sensitive marine areas.
Resilient control systems
New digital systems have been introduced to allow more intelligent control of pump speeds and flow management. This ensures that during storm events, flows can be managed efficiently without overloading downstream treatment facilities. These systems are designed to integrate with the broader telemetry network used by South West Water, allowing operators to respond in real-time to system performance.
Phear Park & Maer Road SPSs: Supply chain - Key participants
Project management for SWW: ChandlerKBS
Main designer & contractor: Galliford Try
Civils design: Eastwood Consulting Engineers
HV designers: ITP Electrical
HVAC design & installation: Air Technology Systems
FRC installation: D&P Reinforcements
High voltage connections & earthing: High Voltage Power Services (SW)
Transformer: Wilson Power Solutions Ltd
Screens: Eliquo Hydrok Ltd
Composite steel-reinforced pipes: Aquaspira Ltd
Diamond drilling: 24/7 Diamond Drilling & Sawing Services
Lifting, transport & storage: Spence Crane Hire Ltd
Sustainability & environmental stewardship
Environmental protection has been a key focus of every phase of the Exmouth Outfall Project. The works are being delivered with sustainability in mind, both in terms of construction practices and long-term operational efficiency.
Some of the key initiatives include:
Recycling of construction materials: The project has employed advanced separation techniques to reclaim and reuse drilling fluids and other construction by-products, helping to reduce the demand for fresh resources and minimise waste.
Low-carbon construction: By using efficient scheduling, modular build techniques, and energy-conscious planning, the project has reduced its overall carbon footprint by an estimated 40 tonnes of CO2.
Screening performance: The enhanced screening systems help prevent plastics and other materials from entering natural watercourses, contributing to the long-term health of local marine ecosystems.
These initiatives are aligned with SWW’s wider environmental objectives and support national efforts to improve the health of UK rivers and coastal waters.
[caption id="attachment_23555" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Maer Road SPS: Enhanced electrical supply and routing works - Courtesy of Galliford Try[/caption]
Construction logistics & stakeholder coordination
Delivering this project within such a high-profile and environmentally sensitive location presented unique challenges. The proximity of a busy tourist destination – one of the UK’s largest holiday parks – required careful planning to minimise disruption.
Key actions included:
Seasonal delivery: All construction activities were carefully scheduled during the winter maintenance window to avoid peak visitor periods. This minimised disruption to both the public and local businesses.
Environmental controls: Rigorous sediment, noise, and dust control procedures were implemented throughout the construction phase. Ecological assessments and ongoing monitoring ensured the protection of flora and fauna in the surrounding area.
Community & stakeholder engagement: SWW and Galliford Try worked closely with local residents, businesses, and regulators to communicate construction milestones, respond to concerns, and provide updates on progress. Dedicated community liaison officers helped maintain positive relations and ensure transparency throughout the delivery period.
Knowledge sharing & industry learning
Galliford Try and South West Water are committed to using the Exmouth Outfall Project as a benchmark for future schemes. Lessons learned are being captured and shared internally across both organisations to inform best practices on future water infrastructure projects.
Internal knowledge sharing has included presentations to more than 250 employees across multiple business units. Topics covered include the use of sustainable construction methods, approaches to stakeholder engagement, and the integration of new digital controls.
[caption id="attachment_23554" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Old pipework - Courtesy of Galliford Try[/caption]
Conclusion
The Exmouth Outfall Project exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to infrastructure delivery, combining technical excellence with environmental responsibility and community engagement. These upgrades are not only vital for regulatory compliance and operational resilience, but they also play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
As the project continues to progress on time and on budget, South West Water is well-positioned to meet its long-term targets for stormwater management, coastal protection, and sustainable wastewater treatment. Galliford Try is proud to support this vision through the safe and efficient delivery of complex infrastructure in sensitive locations.
This case study highlights what is possible when innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship are placed at the centre of infrastructure delivery.