Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is installing a giant underground storage tank at the Beach Road football pitch in Bangor to help the local wastewater network perform more effectively during heavy rain and to help improve the water quality of the Menai Strait.

 

 

Why are Dŵr Cymru doing this work?

Sewers in Bangor are combined sewers, which means that wastewater from kitchens and toilets are carried by the same pipes as roof and roads rainwater.

During heavy rainfall, the additional surface water and wastewater is stored in a storm overflow tank, at the Beach Road pumping station, however, during significant rainfall, when this tank is full and can’t take any more, the water flows out of the storm overflow into the bay. This storm overflow is in place to stop the network from backing up and flooding homes and businesses in Bangor.

To help protect the local environment and water of the strait, which forms part of the Menai Strait Marine Special Area of Conservation, carrying out work will help reduce the number of times the storm overflow is used.

One way to do this would be to separate the surface water and wastewater in the area, however, this would mean digging up most of the roads in Bangor which would cause major disruption to residents and businesses in the city and would take several years.

Another, much less disruptive way, is to build a large underground storage tank which will hold back flows during significant rainfall and then slowly release the water back into the system when there is enough room.

How are they doing it?

A large underground storage tank will be located under the football pitch on Beach Road. As contractors will need space for the machinery and a storage area as well, they will be using most of the football pitch and grassed area during the work.

Byw’n Iach (Gwynedd Council) who own the football pitch and have given permission to carry out the work on the site, and to make the necessary changes to the field to get the work done. Once the work is finished, the football pitch will be replaced.

It’s important that workers can maintain the tank after it’s finished, to carry out this maintenance a track next to the field will be created with some manhole covers alongside the playing field.

How long will the work take?

Work will start mid- February 2024 and if everything goes to plan, they should be finished by the middle of 2025

Work is planned between Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.30pm but on some occasions they may need to work later or on weekends to get the work done.

How will the work affect you?

The work will not affect the water or wastewater service but as with any large construction project, there will be times where there will be some noise, construction vehicles, and disruption to traffic in the area but the team will do their best to reduce disruption where they can.

Will my water supply be affected?

No, this work will not affect your water supply.

Can I still flush the toilet?

Yes, the work will not affect your wastewater services.

I live on Beach Road, how will the work affect me?

The work will not affect your water or wastewater service but as will any large construction project, there will be times where there will be some noise, construction vehicles, and disruption to traffic in the area but the team will do their best to reduce disruption where they can.

Will traffic be affected on Beach Road?

There are no plans for any additional traffic lights on Beach Road. However, there will be a number of construction vehicles coming and going to the site, and there will be times where there will be large deliveries to site that may slow down traffic.

Will there be a smell of sewage during an after the work?

No, there will be no sewage smell during and after the work.

Find more information about the project HERE.