Decision details

To agree appointment of Willow Pumps Ltd to undertake role of Principal Contractor to complete detailed design and construction of the proposed replacement works in the sum of £140,714.90.

The Council-owned, managed and operated Sewage Treatment Works at Fen Road, Guyhirn is due for replacement. This asset is over 30 years old and requires a significant capital investment to offer effective service function for the next 25 years for its connected customers; whilst maintaining compliance with the Council’s legal requirements in relation to the Environment Agency Final Effluent Discharge Consent criteria set for this site.

The project delivery has been undertaken in compliance with Council’s Code of Procurement.

Decision Taken:

The Portfolio Holder for Assets, Business Premises – Health & Safety & Food Safety, Environmental Services & Heritage to approve the appointment of Willow Pumps Limited as Principal Contractor to undertake detailed Design and Construction (Option 2) for the Fen Road Sewage Treatment Works Replacement Scheme for a sum of £140,714.90. 

In 2007, as part of the Housing Stock Transfer process, Members agreed that the Council should retain the STW and PS assets and not lose the considerable sum of money from the Capital receipt of the Stock if the assets and responsibility were to be transferred to Roddons Housing Association.

Members agreed that there was a requirement to continually undertake investment to maintain service function and EA compliance. To date approximately £1.5M has been invested in replacing the ageing assets with modern, fit for purpose, energy efficient small package sewage treatment works.

Options to remove liability and transfer incoming flows to an Anglian Water Services (AWS) system were considered during project feasibility stage.

However, in this instance it was not viable as AWS do not have assets located in the vicinity of this site and the anticipated cost to pump the effluent to the closest location was not deemed good value for money.

This existing WPL HIPAF plant has come to the end of its useful operational life and requires removal from operational service.