The £8.2 million upgrade of the Newmachar Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) was carried out between March 2024 and December 2025. The refurbishment aimed to increase treatment capacity by 20% and support growth in the Newmachar and Kingseat areas.
Located near Scotstown, the Newmachar WWTW required extensive refurbishment while remaining fully operational. This created the need for a robust solution to isolate, divert, control and test flows at several phases of the upgrade - a key aspect of the works overseen by Scottish Water’s design and construction partner, ESD JV.
To ensure the refurbishment could proceed safely and without interrupting operations, Stopper Specialists supplied blanking stoppers, bypass stoppers and all associated ancillary equipment on continuous hire from 2024 through 2025. The equipment played an essential role in ensuring that process flows could be managed safely and efficiently, with several units remaining in situ for prolonged periods without disruption.
ESD JV engaged with Stopper Specialists early in the project planning phase. Initial discussions focused on technical requirements relating to pipeline sizing, flow conditions, site access and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Jonathon MacNeil, Site Manager at ESD JV said “Groundforce provided good service when we requested a quote. The advisors were very knowledgeable about the equipment and asked the right questions to help us make the right choice.”
Once the order was placed, Stopper Specialists delivered equipment promptly in line with the project schedule, supporting a seamless transition into the construction phase.
"Reliability is everything for our time critical projects and Stopper Specialists never lets us down. They are our first call every time." MacNeil continued.
Throughout the hire period, Stopper Specialists maintained regular communication with the site team, providing ongoing advice where required and accommodating extensions or adjustments to the hire schedule. This ensured continuous compliance with operational requirements as refurbishment activities progressed.
Now that the upgrade programme has been successfully completed, the Newmachar WWTW stands as a stronger, more resilient asset for the surrounding communities. The project has delivered a significant increase in treatment capacity, supporting future growth while improving the reliability of the wastewater network.