Wastewater treatment systems and solutions expert Jacopa has successfully installed an advanced submerged aerated filter (SAF) plant for a picturesque Highland village, Boat of Garten. Jacopa was engaged by Crownhouse, the M&E division of the SR10 capital delivery partner Laing O’Rourke.
Boat of Garten sits in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park on the river Spey, a world-famous salmon river – a nearby ferry across the Spey was the source of the village’s unusual name.
The packaged ‘pipe in to pipe out’ SAF plant replaced the village’s existing septic tank and made the project easier for Crownhouse, as it was working with just one contractor and was looking to reduce the risks associated with interfacing between the various processes required.
The project’s proximity to the river Spey required the design to make provision for 1 in 30 year flooding events. Jacopa developed the SAF tanks for above ground installation to allow operational activities to be undertaken from above the units. Walkway access means the plant will be unaffected by any flooding, and all operational activities can continue undisturbed.
Given the proximity of local housing, the blower kiosk has been acoustically lined to reduce noise, and the units are specially painted to blend with the scenery and reduce their visual impact.
Jacopa’s SAF system is an aerobic, fixed film solution for wastewater treatment that the firm says is ideal for restricted sites because of its small footprint. It is also robust, fast to install and easy to operate, with a long asset life of 25 years or more.
Key Account Manager Iain Coventry said: “The SAF system is ideal for Boat of Garten because it provides an unobtrusive solution with a good quality of effluent for this sensitive environment. We were able to work closely with our partners to ensure we delivered a solution well suited to its location.”
