As part of its ongoing programme to improve river water quality, Severn Trent Water has awarded Barhale a £16.35 million contract to deliver a major infrastructure project at Etruria Vale in Stoke-on-Trent.

The centrepiece of the scheme is a 20-metre diameter, 24-metre deep shaft tank, providing an additional 5,200m³ of overflow storage capacity. This forms a key element of the wider, multi-site Etruria Vale project, delivered under Severn Trent Water’s Framework Directive Scheme – an initiative focused on reducing intermittent discharges from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), boosting resilience during storms, and enhancing water quality in local watercourses.

Civil engineering, tunnelling and infrastructure specialist Barhale will construct the shaft using secant piling to create a circular retaining wall before excavation begins. Two connecting pipes – a 7.2-metre-long, 1200mm inlet and a 12-metre-long, 1050mm overflow – will link the structure to adjacent manholes.

In addition to constructing the shaft, Barhale will design and install the full MEICA package. This includes fully-submersible, variable speed drive pumps capable of delivering 200 litres per second over a variable head, a vacuum flush system, associated pipework, instrumentation, MCC, and kiosk.

Barhale Director James Ingamells emphasised the importance of the project:

“The wider Etruria Vale project spans multiple sites, including the Lower Oxford Road CSO and Lower Oxford Road Shaft,” he said. “The Etruria Vale shaft is the final piece in the puzzle. Its completion, and the extra capacity it brings, will make a significant improvement to the wastewater network in the area.

“Most importantly, it will play a vital role in improving water quality in the Fowlea Brook – a key tributary of the River Trent.

“Everyone at Barhale is proud to be entrusted by Severn Trent Water with this important scheme, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to deliver it successfully.”

Ben King, Senior Project Manager for Severn Trent Water said: “As we begin AMP8, I’m excited to begin work with Barhale on this project which will provide long-term benefits to Stoke-On-Trent. Working with Barhale and their supply chain aligns with our approach of collaborative project delivery as we focus on successfully delivering this project over the next 24 months.”

Work is scheduled for completion by summer 2027.