14 April 2010

Secondary school students in north Wales have benefited from a presentation given by Costain employees on the Welsh Water Framework which may help them to choose their future career.

Approximately 100 students at Castell Alun School in Hope received an insight into what it takes to carve out a career in the construction industry. During the talk they learnt about the various roles and responsibilities which are needed to deliver a large project such as the Penyffordd Habitats Scheme, which the Company are currently undertaking in the area.

The existing Penyffordd Waste Water Treatment Works (WwTW) will not meet stricter consent standards which come into force from April 2010; and therefore flows will be transferred to the nearby Hope works.  The scheme involves conversion of the Penyffordd WwTW into a pumping station, whilst retaining the site's storm storage capacity. Over 3,500 metres of 250mm diameter rising main is then being laid across agricultural land and along the highway - as well as through Hope village. A number of external factors influenced the development of the pipeline route; including railway and river crossings, mitigation for great crested newts, badgers and archaeological remains.

The students listened to presentations from various Costain employees who explained why the scheme was taking place and the role they played in getting the project from feasibility to completion. 

Costain's Framework Director, John Madden, said: "The work at Penyffordd and Hope is part of a large investment programme by Welsh Water which will benefit customers and the local environment. It is great that local students had an opportunity to discover what the scheme entails and how this work will benefit the local community whilst also showing the students the opportunities that exist for them within the industry."

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