Photo/Film Opportunity: Pumping station upgrade helps protect 700 homes

04-Feb-2010

“Lake 4 Pumping Station”, which is located adjacent to the Thames tidal defences in Thamesmead, forms an essential part of the drainage system of the Marsh Dykes flood catchment.

The pumping station provides flood protection to over 700 houses and 6.7 Hectares of commercial buildings. Four Archimedean screw pumps (a machine used for transferring water from a standing body to a higher level) combine to give the site a pumping capacity of 8,000 litres per second. 

Environment Agency project manager, Ian Mawdsley said:

“Although Thamesmead is well defended, it is still vulnerable as the land is lower than the level in the River Thames at certain stages of the tide. The area is also vulnerable to urban drainage flooding. By upgrading the electrical control systems at the local pumping station, we have restored the standard of protection for many residents who live within the catchment.”

The screw pumps at Lake 4 pumping station operate automatically depending on the water level in the lake, which acts as the sump (reservoir) for local surface water drainage. The water level must be kept below a certain point to enable the efficient working of the surrounding drainage system. The water is drawn up by the Archimedean screws to a level above the tidal defences. It is then discharged into the River Thames to prevent flooding in Thamesmead.
 
“By upgrading the electrical control systems at the pumping station the standard of protection provided by Lake 4 will be maintained for many years to come. The pumping station is vital to the future development of Thamesmead and the surrounding community, ” Mr Mawdsley added.

Ends

Notes to Editors

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