Rainton Construction Completes Major Water Network Upgrade at Teesworks

North East civil engineering specialist Rainton Construction has reached a major milestone on the Teesworks water network upgrade project, successfully removing ageing pipework and installing a new water supply network to support the site’s ongoing regeneration.

As part of the wider infrastructure works at Teesworks, the project involved replacing critical water infrastructure while maintaining a continuous supply to one of the UK’s largest regeneration sites. The completed water network upgrade will improve the resilience and reliability of the network serving businesses and major developments across Teesside, including Net Zero Teesside.

Removing the existing pipework presented several significant engineering challenges. Located within a confined area, the ageing infrastructure featured numerous flanged connections, making the dismantling process complex and time-consuming. Careful planning and a specialist approach enabled the team to safely remove the old assets while working within a restricted footprint.

A key challenge was maintaining an uninterrupted water supply throughout the works. With operations across the Teesworks site relying on the existing network, shutting down the system was not an option. To overcome this, Rainton Construction designed and installed a temporary bypass system that diverted water flow around the existing pipework, allowing the water infrastructure upgrade to be completed without disrupting service.

Installing the replacement water network required innovative engineering solutions. Due to the configuration of the existing pipework installation and the limited working space within the pit, traditional measuring techniques could not deliver the level of precision required. To ensure accuracy, a specialist 3D laser scan of the pit and pipework was undertaken, providing detailed measurements and tolerances for the design process.

Using the scan data, the team accurately specified a combination of standard ductile iron fittings and specialist fabricated valves and components. This approach ensured the new water network installation could be delivered efficiently despite the challenging environment and tight tolerances involved.

The completed works represent another important step in the transformation of Teesworks. Through technical expertise, collaborative planning and innovative civil engineering solutions, Rainton Construction has successfully delivered a complex water infrastructure project while maintaining uninterrupted service to the wider site. The new water supply network will support ongoing regeneration, future investment and long-term economic growth across Teesside and the North East.