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Layer to Langford Pipeline

Dry, hot weather in 2016 and again in 2022 created challenges for Essex & Suffolk Water. With little rainfall, the pressure on Hanningfield Reservoir resulted in its lowest level in 20 years, while Abberton Reservoir remained available due to its greater capacity. As a result, Abberton Reservoir was able to continue to support the nearby Layer Water Treatment Works (WTW).

To prevent this reservoir imbalance happening again, Essex & Suffolk Water asked our team to join them in designing a 20-kilometre (12-mile) pipeline linking Layer and Langford WTWs. This strategic linkage would enable additional capacity to be forwarded via an existing pumping system from Langford WTW to Hanningfield Reservoir. Our team designed a gravity-fed route that allows a water balance to be achieved, to maintain raw water supplies into the water treatment works throughout the region during prolonged droughts.

The new pipeline connects into the raw water mains that deliver water from Abberton Reservoir into Layer WTW. From here, water travels under gravity to Langford WTW, where it is discharged into two existing bankside storage reservoirs. Existing pumping facilities can transfer local source water from Langford to refill Hanningfield Reservoir when needed.

The pipeline crossed two large adjacent watercourses using horizontal directional drilling¡ªa trenchless method that reduces disruption and environmental impact. We had dual pipes installed at the crossing providing supply resilience. The remaining pipeline crossed farmland using a narrow working corridor to reduce land and ecological impacts.

The new Layer to Langford pipeline provides a vital new link that helps secure water supplies for the future of communities in the area.