SuDs Management at Glenconway Windfarm SuDS Introduction to Gael - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SuDS

SuDs Management at Glenconway Windfarm

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Introduction to Gael Force Renewables

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• Gael Force Renewables Ltd was

formed in 2011 by McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd and William & Henry Alexander (Civil Engineering) Ltd to target onshore Wind Farm

• pportunities in GB & ROI.

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Gael Force Renewables – What We Do:

• 150 years of Civil Engineering Experience
• Gael Force offer full Design and Build Services
• Early client and designer involvement so that innovative, safe, buildable solutions are developed.
• At Gael Force we implement lessons learnt to ensure our teams constantly progress, develop and

refine skills, methodologies and work sequences

• Full time on site Environmental Professionals

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Project - Balmurrie Fell Wind Farm, Stranraer, South West Scotland. (7 x 1.3 MW Siemens WTG)

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Project – Glenconway Windfarm, Limavady, Northern Ireland (20 x 2.3MW WTG)

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Design to Construction

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Settlement Ponds

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Silt Fencing

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Clean water cut off drains

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Swales & check dams

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Breakouts

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Settlement Areas

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Monitoring Effectiveness

• Water Quality testing (internal & external)
• External inspections by Designers
• Internal weekly inspections by

Environmental Representative

• SEARS (Safety Environmental Awareness

Reporting Scheme). Positive and Negative issues raised by everyone on site.

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Water Quality Testing

• External water quality testing was carried
• ut every two weeks at 5 locations for Phase

1 and 8 locations for Phase 1 & 2

• Testing covered 21 chemical parameters and

biological (macro invertebrate) monitoring

• Internal samples took place daily for phase 1

and weekly for phase 2. Parameters included turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temp & EC.

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Environmental Awareness

• Water Quality results are displayed on

site

• Correlation between turbidity and

rainfall is also presented on graphs.

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Toolbox Talks

• Every Tuesday

morning

• Covers key issues

such as waste, energy, water pollution

• All site staff

shared the responsibility

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Environmental Awareness

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Environmental Coaching

Environmental Sessions to date:- SuDS (McCloys) Peat Stability / Peat Slides (BLP) Archaeology (Gahan & Long) Flora and Fauna (Blackstaff)

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Conclusion

• SuDS design must account for inclement weather

conditions

• SuDS design must be site specific
• SuDS features must be installed prior to works

starting

• Very beneficial to have an on site environmental

representative

• Water Quality monitoring is important during

construction – even visual inspection of water courses

• Maintenance of SuDs Features is critical

Richard Collins BSc MSc AIEMA

Construction-Phase Temporary SuDS: A75 Case Study

Construction Context

• 3.67km carriageway realignment and upgrade:

include earthworks, drainage and culverts, utility works, surfacing & underpass construction

• Existing drainage mitigation inadequate
• Filter drains & 4 balancing ponds with reed beds

Key Environmental Aim ‘Protecting the Pow Water tributaries during construction’

Challenges & Uncertainties

• Geology & soils
• Earthworks intensive
• EIA stated ‘potentially increased sedimentation’
• True nature of soils

Fine Clays

• Spatial constraints
• Limited opportunity for temporary SuDS

locations

• Temporal Constraints
• Not scheduled in programme of works
• Resources to complete with immediate effect
• Costs

Usual Suspects

• Exposed soils: ensuring capping/seeding is

completed ASAP

• Stockpiles: limiting, stabilising
• Washing & washout facilities
• Haul roads: wheel wash operative (spatial

constraints)

• Dewatering: sumps, releasing at suitable times
• Inclement weather: be prepared

Water Management Strategy



Liaise with local SEPA representative



Alum sulphate required: minimal dosing policy



Tiered, impermeable treatment zones



Maintenance plan: Daily checks



pH (6-8) & turbidity (<10ntu) testing



Controlled release

Tangible Results

Permanent Pond Installation

• Isolated pond
• Limited opportunity for

treatment

• Use of existing vegetation
• Lined sediment forebay
• Aquatic bench in

permanent pool; ecology, amenity & safety

Native Species Planting

Pond Edge Mix Yellow Flag Iris Water Avens

• Benefits of bio-retention and enhanced biodiversity

Meadowsweet

Learning Points

Detailed pre-construction review of EIA Robust planning, management & maintenance required Micro-managed retention & release Maximise use of sub-catchments in design

Thank you