Projects
Temporary Reservoir Installation for
Fire Water System Remediation, Dorset
The liner system of the emergency water supply (EWS11) reservoir at West Moors MOD Petroleum Depot had failed and required remediation.
As the reservoir forms a critical part of the site's fire suppression infrastructure, it could not simply be taken out of service whilst the works were undertaken.
The project required the reservoir to be fully dewatered, the existing liner removed and a replacement liner installed, whilst maintaining emergency water storage and preserving fire protection capability throughout the works. Environmental constraints added further complexity, with the adjacent grassland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), limiting the available working area and influencing the delivery methodology.
To maintain emergency water storage throughout the remediation works, we deployed a temporary storage tank using our Geodesign Barrier system.
Configured as a freestanding water-retaining structure adjacent to the reservoir, the temporary tank provided the required equivalent storage capacity whilst minimising encroachment onto the surrounding SSSI-designated grassland.
Twin 6-inch pumps transferred water between the existing reservoir and the temporary storage system, allowing the site's fire suppression network to remain operational throughout the project.
Once the reservoir had been dewatered, the failed liner and redundant infrastructure were removed. Our team then reshaped and reinstated sections of the reservoir bunds where required, restoring the design profile ahead of installation of a protective geotextile layer and replacement liner system. Environmental considerations were incorporated throughout the works. Turf from the anchor trench was carefully lifted, stored and reinstated following installation of the new liner, helping preserve the surrounding grassland and minimise disturbance to the site.
The project enabled the successful remediation of a critical emergency water supply asset without compromising the site's fire protection capability.
By combining temporary water storage, pumping systems, liner replacement and associated civil engineering works, we provided a single, coordinated solution that reduced interface risk and simplified project delivery. The approach also minimised disruption to the surrounding environment, protecting sensitive grassland whilst restoring the reservoir for continued operational use.
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