SUSTAINABILITY

FEATURES
Delivering drinkable water for
Sennybridge Soldiers
study to assess the feasibility of
delivering potable water for drinking
and domestic purposes from these
boreholes, taking into account the
structural condition and age of the
assets, water quality and yield,
regulatory requirements and any
potential sources of water
contamination, for example cattle
on the ranges.
The stream on X Range © Kelda
Sennybridge Training Area covers
approximately 68m 2 of a vast upland of
blanket bog and grass plateau just
outside the Brecon Beacons National
Park. It is the MODs third largest training
area in the UK. The training area is a key
firing facility for infantry and artillery
training and contains five Sites of Special
Scientific Interest and three Special Areas
of Conservation for its flora and fauna
including the rare slender green feather
moss, grassland fungi including more
than 20 species of waxcap fungi, white
clawed crayfish and otter.
Historically, drinking water has been
supplied via bowsers filled at the main
camp and driven up onto the ranges,
but in 2011 Kelda Water Services
Defence (KWSD) and Defence
Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)
embarked on a project to update this
system by providing potable water
from boreholes located on the ranges.
Water quality sampling and risk
assessments concluded that the
existing fifteen boreholes and one
spring were not wholesome and the
water was not fit for human
consumption. Then in 2012 Army
Environmental Health concluded that
the existing borehole systems should
not be used for any domestic purpose
(washing and showering) due to the
potential risk from waterborne
bacterial infection. KWSD therefore
worked with DIO with the support of
Landmarc personnel to identif y the
seven best locations for new
boreholes, determined by analysis of
the water quality data and by
considering the site operational
requirements. DIO then
commissioned KWSD to undertake a
Feasibility work was completed in the
spring of 2014 and the capital work
phase commenced in the autumn of
the same year. Six new boreholes
were drilled and one existing
borehole was utilised. A new water
treatment works was installed at each
of the seven locations, including new
chlorination units, UV disinfection and
filtration systems; these new
installations ensure that the water can
now be used for drinking and
washing. KWSD, the site contractors,
Landmarc and DIO personnel liaised
closely throughout the project,
resulting in a successful outcome for
all stakeholders. The new boreholes
and water treatment systems
represent a significant environmental
benefit and a sustainable long term
solution for provision of potable water
to this remote site.
Sennybridge’s Senior Training Safety
Offcer, Maj Ed Mahony, said: “ The works
cost around £1m, but the value of having
drinking water here is huge - not only for
training soldiers, but for all the staff
supporting the training effort across this
vast geographical area. It greatly
enhances training, reduces the cost and
time of bringing water to the area and
gives the site’s users freely available
drinking water and hot showers.
Achieving this on the third largest UK
training area is invaluable.”
Sarah Maiden
Environmental Manager
Kelda Water Services
20
Sanctuary 44 • 2015