Landfill Project - Plymouth

Hippowash cuts costs for the City Council

Plymouth City Council contracted T. J. Brent (now May Gurney) to construct a groundwater cut-off wall on the southern boundary of Chelston Meadow Landfill site.

The project incorporated replacing the existing wheel wash system, as it was located right in the middle of the planned works. The wheel wash requirement was therefore not related to the ground works or subsequent restoration project, but for use on the working landfill site.

As the site had two years left to run, it was imperative that a wash was installed to cope with the 750 vehicles that visit the facility daily, delivering domestic and commercial waste. The old system did not incorporate a water recycling element and as a result was costing in the region of £1,000 per week to run.

Ian Fawcus, the May Gurney Project Manager said:

"We took the client to a site in Wales to see the Hippowash washer and water clarifier in action. Not only does it make sense to recycle the water, the chaps who were going to operate the site liked the fact it seemed easy to use. They just need to empty the hoppers regularly... a 10 minute job."

Peter McNamara, of Plymouth City Council, was equally impressed.

"We are really pleased with the unit; it is working really well. All the drivers who come on to site say it’s a lot better than other wheel washers they have used. Sludge removal is simple and my foreman finds it easy to use. There have been no downsides to using the unit at all."