Project Outline Murphy was responsible for the design, construction, and commissioning of two new Activated Sludge Process tanks and associated equipment required to increase secondary treatment biological capacity at Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works. The additional treatment capacity upgrade was necessary to meet the NI Water/Department of Finance & Infrastructure strategic objectives to: – Allow continuous robust treatment of current and short-term future estimated wastewater loads. – Enable Base Maintenance works to be undertaken in the existing ASP tanks over the following two years. These new assets have facilitated essential improvements within the associated sewerage networks and will enable maintenance works to be undertaken in the other treatment tanks. The two new aeration lanes commissioned by Murphy provide the necessary additional capacity for the secondary treatment at Belfast WwTW. All MEICA work was completed under Murphy supervision and programme meetings were held regularly to maintain the operation of the Works on a daily basis. In addition to process commissioning, key MEICA installations included 5,662 fine bubble diffusers, air distribution pipework extensions and an additional air blower to meet increased process oxygen demand for the upgraded design. Each tank included MLSS recirculation pumps, flowmeters, submersible mixers and significant tank access walkways and bridges at coping level. The existing MCC was extended to cater for new electrical plant and process quality instrumentation, including extension to the existing Profibus / fibre communications network on the site. Design Build was completed in July 2022 with 28-day Performance Test completed in August 2022. KEY FACTS This project was part of the Northern Ireland ‘Living with Water Programme’, a plan developed by the Department for Infrastructure, for Drainage and Wastewater Management in Greater Belfast. This upgrade supports development and aid economic growth in the city by increasing the plant’s design capacity from a Population Equivalent of 290,000 to nearly 500,000.
