Project Details

CLIENT

Graham Construction on behalf of NI Water

COST

£600,000

OVERVIEW

The Newtownards Flood Relief Scheme involved the refurbishment of two major stormwater pumping stations located at Portaferry Road and Comber Road in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland. The project was particularly challenging due to the underground and outdated nature of the two sites. The existing infrastructure, including old penstocks, pumps, and heavy pipework, had to be removed and replaced with modern, efficient systems to ensure improved flood protection. Each pumping station featured four pumps, operating in Duty/Assist/Assist/Standby configurations.

FLOW RATES

Portaferry Road Pump Station:

  • 4 No. pumps rated at 677 l/s each
  • Capacity of 3 combined: 2031 l/s

Comber Road Pump Station:

  • 4 No. pumps rated at 833 l/s each
  • Capacity of 3 combined: 2449 l/s
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SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work for the Newtownards Flood Relief Scheme encompassed the full refurbishment and upgrade of both pumping stations. This included the installation of the following key components:

  • Pumping Equipment: 4 No. 70-90kW Bedford Axial Flow Pumps and canisters at each station
  • Electrical and Control Systems: MCCs, PLC/SCADA systems for remote monitoring and control
  • Standby Power: 500KVA containerised standby generators to ensure continuous operation during power outages

Pipework: 600mm diameter pipework and valves for efficient water flow management

CHALLENGES

 The project was executed in the face of significant challenges posed by the underground and aged nature of the sites. Careful planning was required to manage the removal of old infrastructure and the installation of new systems while minimising disruption. The size and weight of the old equipment, coupled with the confined spaces at the pumping stations, required meticulous coordination to ensure the safe and efficient completion of the works.

OUTCOME

The refurbishment of the Portaferry Road and Comber Road pumping stations significantly enhanced the capacity and efficiency of the stormwater management system in Newtownards, improving flood protection for the surrounding areas. The new, modernised equipment ensures reliable operation even during extreme weather conditions, providing greater resilience to the flood risks in the region. The completion of this project also demonstrated the ability to successfully modernise older infrastructure while maintaining the integrity of the existing system.