A joint venture between UK based firms Northumbrian Water and Modern Water Services (MWSL) has been named preferred bidder for a contract to design, build, finance and operate a new £22M wastewater treatment works for the Government of Gibraltar.
The project will be spearheaded by Gibraltar’s Technical Services Department and the Department of the Environment, with MWSL acting as lead contractor for design and build of the plant.
The new facility will treat wastewater for the 30,000 resident population of Gibraltar and another 30,000 workforce that travels from Spain, together with tourists.
The plant will be completely enclosed and landscaped to visually enhance the local environment, and will make use of existing underground tunnels in the rock.
After construction is complete a 20 year operation and maintenance phase will commence. This will require use of innovative technology due to Gibraltar having two water systems – one supplying drinking water and the other using sea water for all sanitary purposes.
The plant will also be designed to receive storm flows, operate on low power requirements and to stringent odour controls required to comply with rigorous emission standards.
Northumbrian Water Group commercial director Maxine Mayhew said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to deliver this exciting next step in waste water treatment development for Gibraltar which will enable Gibraltar to comply with the EU’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
“This extension of our operating portfolio in England, Scotland, Ireland and Gibraltar is a further endorsement and recognition of Northumbrian Water being a trusted and expert provider of sustainable water services.”
Discussions between the parties over the detailed terms of the project will start this week.
Photo copyright David Stanley and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons licence
