The Water and Sewerage Authority has reached another milestone in its Asset Management Plan with the commissioning of its 6.5 megalitre (1.5 million gallon) Ramsey Service Reservoir.
The Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Authority, Mr Graham Cregeen MHK, said:
“The new reservoir, located in Glen Auldyn, has improved the security of water supplies to roughly 13,500 customers in the north and east of the Island. I would like to extend my thanks to Lezayre Commissioners, the Honourable Eddie Teare MHK as well as to local residents, landowners and tenant farmers for their support and assistance during the construction of this essential facility.”
The reservoir will replace the 19th century service reservoir located under the old water treatment works in Ballure. Originally budgeted at ?2.8million, the project was delivered on time and under budget at ?2.6million. The new reservoir took just over a year to construct and is of a very similar design to the Ballagawne Service Reservoir, which was commissioned in May 2011.
Construction of a reservoir, located approximately 90 metres above sea level and on the side of a steep incline, resulted in some interesting challenges for the main contractor, Auldyn Construction, not least the need to construct an access track capable of withstanding the 30,000 tonnes of rock removed from site, the 415 tonnes of reinforcing steel and the several thousand tonnes of concrete delivered to site. Another major challenge was the installation of 3,620m of pipework, which required crossings of the TT course, Glen Auldyn River and B16 Glen Auldyn Road.
Both Ramsey Service Reservoir, and Ballagawne Service Reservoir constructed in the south of the Island, used a concrete which is a bi-product of the blast furnace industry and produces a high-strength, durable concrete. These two projects are the first in the Island to use this method which has the added environmental benefit of reducing the need for quarrying, landfill and the carbon dioxide emissions associated with cement production.
Eric Whitelegg, Project Sponsor for both projects, said:
“The service reservoirs at Ramsey and Ballagawne were both delivered on time and under budget and, by bringing together the two capital investments which were originally planned to be delivered several years apart, the Authority has realised substantial financial and time savings whilst still meeting its business objectives.”
Peter Winstanley, Chief Executive of the Authority, said:
“This major project, which forms part of the Authority’s Capital Investment Programme, was completed on time and under budget, and I would like to thank all those involved in the design, construction and commissioning of the reservoir and the pipelines for their commitment in delivering what has undoubtedly been a successful project.”
