Working with the client and the main contractor, I was able to research, present and recommend an innovative solution to the concrete wash out problem by implementing ‘Siltbuster’ onto the £71m project.

The 52,000 sq m site had high-level groundwater issues and allowing high pH water to seep into the ground would pollute the groundwater system, a process that Airbus could not permit. Not only would this be detrimental environmentally this could result in a very heavy fine from the Environment Agency. With an average of 60 deliveries of concrete per day and over 53,000 cu m of concrete required, there was a considerable volume of concrete washwater that had to be dealt with on site.

Four RCW units were used on site as deliveries peaked at 283 concrete trucks for one weekend. The units treated 177,000 litres of washwater and reincorporate 192 cu m of concrete into works on site. The units negated the need for 15 skips for traditional storage treatment. This reduction led to Airbus project winning the Constructing Excellence Wales Award for Innovation in 2010