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Bolina booms help protect biodiversity on the River Bure
Published on 20 Dec ‘20
Bolina booms help protect biodiversity on the River Bure in the UK
Bolina booms help protect biodiversity on the River Bure

BOLINA BOOMS HELP PROTECT BIODIVERSITY ON THE RIVER BURE IN THE UK

Discover how Bolina booms help protect biodiversity on the River Bure with the PDB600 in the United Kingdom (UK).

The Eel Regulation Compliance project at the River Bure in Belaugh, Norfolk, England, is an ambitious project driven by the need for the Essex and Suffolk Water company to comply with the Eels Regulations act of 2009. This act aims to implement recovery measures in all freshwater and estuarine waters in England and Wales.

The project on the River Bure focuses on the installation of eel-friendly screening equipment at an abstraction point on the river. The successful delivery of this equipment is expected to improve the biodiversity in the river. The Belaugh intake remained operational throughout the duration of works, with only short shutdowns required. The main construction works included the installation of drum-shaped screens underwater on the front of the existing concrete structure. Protective piling and a floating boom have also been installed in the river to shield the structure from boats and floating debris.

This is where we were approached, with the client asking to find a solution to protect the screens from passing water traffic and floating debris. The solution proposed was to use the Bolina Permanent Debris Boom (PDB600), customized along with SP3 1.0-metre Ø yellow color floats. The size of the boom supplied was approximately 11-metres.

“One of the major challenges for the team was that the client had decided not to install the boom onto the screens. Therefore, another mounting location had to be found,” explains the regional business development manager – UK and Europe.

“Luckily, there is a concrete wall behind the screens onto which the boom arms could be fitted,” he says. He adds that Bolina had an installation engineer onsite to put together the boom. The engineer also offered guidance and solutions to the project team once the mounting locations were relocated.

Bolina booms help protect biodiversity on the River Bure

The Bolina PDB600 booms are uniquely designed with flush-sides that deflect debris and protect the floats from boat operations. They come with an adjustable freeboard that helps with pollution containment. This in addition to unique kite floats with integral ballast weights to keep booms upright and prevent under-running in strong currents. The end assemblies follow changes in water level automatically, making the entire system perfect for a delicate ecosystem like the River Bure.

“The location is now fully protected from debris and water traffic. It will come into full effect during the busy spring and summer seasons, when there is more water activity,” adds the RBDM.

The project started in January 2020, and was completed by November 2020. By the end of October, the screens and floating debris booms had been installed. Testing was also carried out over the course of a few weeks to optimise the cleaning cycle frequency.

A second barrier has also been installed in a secondary location.

Contact us for further project or product information. 

Photo credit: Essex and Suffolk Water

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