Binnies staff appointed to key roles on Havant Thicket Reservoir

Binnies has been appointed by Portsmouth Water to provide the reservoir Construction Engineer, appointed under the Reservoirs Act 1975, and geotechnical specialist for the Havant Thicket Reservoir (HTR) project.

The project is the first major water storage reservoir to be designed and constructed in England for 30 years. The project is currently in the early stages of detailed design, site investigation and site preparation, including a trial embankment and compaction trials.

Binnies geotechnical specialist, Mark Wheeler, will review the design and construction of the embankment. He is a technical director with over 40 years’ engineering geology and geotechnical experience, mainly on heavy civil engineering works.

The reservoir is an environmentally led project that will help to protect two internationally rare chalk rivers in Hampshire by providing an alternative, sustainable source of water. It will supply water to about 160,000 people during an average year. The reservoir is due to be completed and operational by 2029. It includes a major embankment, which will be up to 20 metres high, with a three-kilometre-long zoned embankment dam with concrete outlet culvert and valve tower.

Water Utilities Director (Consultancy), Rachel Pether, said:

“Dominic Molyneux is an All Reservoirs Panel Engineer and has overall responsibility for the design and construction of the reservoir. He has been specifically selected by Portsmouth Water for the Construction Engineer role because of his technical qualifications, demonstrated leadership and collaborative behaviours. He will oversee the design-build team through all stages of the project, contributing to improved design through his pragmatic approach and focus on risk reduction and dam safety.”

Bob Taylor, Chief Executive Officer for Portsmouth Water, said:

“We are delighted to have appointed Binnies to provide a Construction Engineer and geotechnical specialist for our flagship Havant Thicket Reservoir project. Both individuals have outstanding reputations within the industry and we have been very impressed with their performance to date.”

“This is an exciting time for the project. Portsmouth Water has recently taken a major step forward in awarding the main reservoir works contract and we look forward to having Binnies on board as the scheme progresses.”