Beckton Desalination Plant

What is it? A brackish water desalination plant at the Thames Gateway in London, which is being built to the highest standards of environmental protection yet seen in the northern hemisphere. The plant, which draws tidal water from the Thames estuary, uses both water reuse technology and desalination technology. It will have an eventual capacity of 150,000m3/d.

Who is responsible? Acciona Agua and Interserve are building the plant on behalf of Thames Water.

Why is it shortlisted?

• Acciona has put sustainability first in both the construction and operation of the plant. The previous structure on the site has been ground down and recycled as filler material. 145,000m3 of sludge has been cleared, dehydrated and recycled for use in agriculture.

• The intake system takes unique care to protect fish: underwater sonar alarms sound for 15 minutes before the intakes open, and a blast of air expels any larvae.

• The plant will have its own green power station, and its carbon footprint is further reduced by water cooling systems and the reuse of residual heat. Acciona has put sustainability into the heart of desalination.