Aquatic Control Engineering

WE'RE HIRING!  Well we have had an amazing year and have another one looking bigger than ever.  To help us deal with additional demand, reach our customers and provide the service they deserve we are looking to recruit 2 new sales managers. 

Take a look www.aquaticcontrol.co.uk/careers

See our latest YouTube video which demonstrates our new strobe and acoustic technology for fish deterrent systems.  For our non-fisheries customers you may wonder what this is all about?  We know it looks a lot like a strobe light, but jokes aside stroboscopic light alerts fish to the dangers ahead and helps prevent fish swimming into dangerous intakes and pumping stations.  Enjoy the video #savingfish

Evidence Project: Implications of provision of fish access at tidal structures for water quality and sedimentation

In order for the Agency to fulfil obligations under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Eel Regulations, fish access facilities are being installed in tidal flaps at many sites in the lower reaches of rivers to allow the migration of elver, eel and other species between the main river or estuary and incoming tributaries and drains.
 
However, the operation of these fish access devices could result in potential changes in the water quality and sediment regime in the associated drains, with implications for management and maintenance regimes in these drains, and in late 2011 the Environment Agency commissioned a short study to investigate the potential for this.
 
The Evidence Summary and full report of a preliminary study can be found here : https://brand.environment-agency.gov.uk/mb/EpOQL3
 

This features our ACE fish friendly flap valves, the pet flap system, and demonstrate lower rates of turbidity and higher opening times that some of the other devices installed.  Also our valves have since been completely re-designed for tidal applications since and feature larger doors which should aid in reducing turbidity further.

New tidal reset system with bigger doors and fail shut innovation

Tweets by @AquaticControl

At ACE we like to get around... visiting customers to see projects is our no.1 past time but we also like a good show or two.  This year we have a number of conferences and events planned where you can meet our team, here are some coming up soon....

RIVER RESTORATION CONFERENCE- CONFERENCE SPONSORS

30th April- 1st May, Northampton

Link to the RRC Conference Information

This year our sales Engineer Marcus Widdison and the Environment Agency will be reporting on the latest fish passage innovations, particularly the Wissey Siphon Fish Pass Project.  Also our Northern Sales Manager and the RSPB will presenting on lateral thinking in floodplains on the Beckingham Marshes project, a follow up from studies of our Environmental Manager and the successful creation of a fantastic new wetland.

ADA DEMO

17th July, Peterborough

Link to the ADA demo Website

This outdoor extravaganza is host to a nationwide group of drainage authorities, local councils, consultants and Environment Agency professionals.  It is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate our newest waterway machinery on working plots and to provide drinks, snacks and product information on our outdoor stands.  This extremely popular event is an ACE favourite and we hope to see you there.

Aquatic Control Engineering has been working with The Canal & River Trust, Thames River Trust and The Environment Agency to secure the future of the European eel by installing elver passes along the Grand Union Canal.

European eels have a fascinating life cycle, spawned as larvae in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda before travelling with the Gulf Stream to Europe, developing into glass eels. Upon reaching coastal areas they migrate up rivers and streams, such as the River Brent, which forms a large section of the Grand Union Canal, turning into elver (baby eels) as they hit freshwater.  However, their migration into the upstream waters and ponds where they mature has many obstacles. Weirs, which help to prevent flooding, make it difficult for the elvers to complete their journey.

The first of four elver passes is at Boston Manor on the Grand Union Canal. This sandwich pass has long bristles and a very gentle water flow, which allows the elver to crawl along the walls of the weir and into the next stretch of river. The elvers mimic wet grass being pressed against the wall, stopping hungry herons snatching them from the water.
 

Monitoring of the success of these passes will allow Aquatic Control Engineering to update the design of future elver passes.
Leela O’Dea, environment manager at the Canal & River Trust says: "I am really excited to be involved in the design and installation of elver passes, these are amazing animals with an unequalled journey, it is a testament to the natural environment and those working in it that such strong partnerships can be developed to bring about important changes within the river systems."
 

For more information on our elver and eel passes visit our fish migration solutions products page
 

Take only Photos, Leave only Footprints…  This popular sign adorns the walkways and park benches of the UK's most beautiful landscapes and sets a very important environmental message.  Yet the focus of many an Environmental Manager, including myself, is the footprint we leave behind and whether it sets a sustainable trail for others to follow.

At Aquatic Control Engineering Ltd, we believe strongly in the ability of our products and installations to interact with the environment without the compromise of flood defence and protection of property and infrastructure. A large focus of this has been the reduction in carbon emissions throughout our organisations activities, from material and design considerations, installation considerations and best office practice. 

Whilst efforts to minimise our carbon emissions began at Aquatic Control in 2004 an official audit with the Achilles Small Supplier Carbon Measurement Scheme in 2010 aimed to have our emissions formally tracked and verified.  This year we are pleased to announce a 6% reduction on scope 1 carbon emissions at ACE per million turnover and we are aiming for similar reductions in 2013.

These minimisation techniques have largely been down to effective transport planning, offering our customers incentives for booking installations in similar areas as a package and our Southern Region office base, reducing mileage from head office southbound.

As one of the first companies to complete the Achilles small supplier carbon measurement scheme, our details have been updated on the Utilities Vendor Database and companies such as Anglian Water, South West Water, E-ON, National Grid, Northumbrian Water, Scottish Water and United Utilities.  We hope that they share our passion for carbon reduction and recognise our efforts thus far.

We wish to thank the Small Supplier Carbon Measurement Team at Achilles for helping us through this process and look forward to reporting further initiates in the coming year.

For more information on their scheme visit: Achilles Carbon Footprint Website

Maybe we don't say thank you enough on this website!  This year we have done an exhibition roadshow with the Water, Sewerage and Waste exhibitions group.  Totalling 11 exhibitions all over the UK and Ireland we are sad to say our last on, in Newcastle is tomorrow.

If you are interested in attending then REGISTER HERE  As a guest you will get free lunch and a chance to win £250 and costs you nothing.

To all our customers and new faces this year, it has been excellent.  THANK YOU for coming and we hope to do business in the future.

Although St. Germans pumping station seems quite a long time ago for some of us (except perhaps the Project Manager), it is still being recognised nationally as an important flood defense structure.

On the 8th May 2012 the new St Germans Pumping Station won the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Mayor’s award for ‘Design in the Environment – Commercial New Build’ and also received the overall ‘Gold Award’ as competition winner topping approximately fifty entries in numerous classes.

Click on the link below to view the results on the Borough Council's website (opens a new window).

http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=24367

This project, for middle Level Commissioners involved £1.2 million worth of ACE water flow control structures... here is a picture of the complete valve section, pre-flooded.  This is the largest pumping station in the UK and has been designed to withstand the next 100 years of effective flood defense.

Just a quick news to say that we hope you all have a spooky evening.  If you are scared then read our comforting October Newsletter featuring our latest projects:

- Borrowash, Largest Fish Pass in the Midlands

- Godmanchester Flood Gates

- North Thames Tilting Weirs

- Foston Beck Eel Pass

CLICK ME to access the page and forward to all your friends

It's all too common in the flood world to forget about esthetics!  So when we won a project to install flood gates in the lovely civil parish of Godmanchester we decided to design them in wood and metal materials.  Whilst the thickness and metal of the door make sure residents houses remain safe from flooding, the wood doesn't completely ruin the look of the residents nicely groomed gardens.

This project formed a small part of the £6.8 million Godmanchester flood alleviation scheme.  Jointly funded by Defra, Local Authority Local Levy and direct contributions from Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council, the hope is that it will provide flood protection to over 500 homes in the area.

We have updated our website windmill pump information.  Now on our fourth generation design since 1929 I think it is about time we show the world just how far our designs have come.

Take a look at our windmill pump page and leaflet

I may have exagerrated in the title... thought you may all enjoy a fantastic shot of our weed harvester which had to take a break from weed collecting after it was considered a play ramp for Northamptonshires finest ducks!

Our famous wetland windpumps are now part of the fantastic landscape at the Langfield Lowlands RSPB reserve.  After 2 years of hard work and patience at Beckingham Marshes, this reserve has now opened its gates to the public.
 

The RSPB would like to welcome you and thank you for your support at their official opening event.

If you are interested please RSVP by contacting us or Nicola Craven at the RSPB on 01636 893611

It starts from 12.45pm for a welcome address by Michael Copleston followed by a guided walk following the wildlife and heritage trail.  This should give you an
opportunity to see the changes made to the landscape and the new interpretation at first hand.

Also if you are interested to view the windpumps in particular please call ACE on 01777 249080 and ask to speak to Zebrina who will organise you an opportunity to understand better the technology.  In the meantime why not take a look at our case study for the Dearne Valley RSPB wetland which features three of our windpumps

Congratulations to the RSPB, we can't wait for November 8th!

We have updated and reviewed our Environmental Statement for 2012-2013, aiming  for continued reduction on our carbon emissions and recycling in-house.  Have a look at what we hope to achieve...

http://www.aquaticcontrol.co.uk/sites/default/files/download-files/n143-f599.pdf

NEW Additions to our website...take a look if you missed the event.  The UK's first Siphon Fish Pass:

http://www.aquaticcontrol.co.uk/about/siphon-fish-pass-event

http://www.aquaticcontrol.co.uk/projects/192/siphon-fish-pass-river-wissey-norfolk

Or view our video on the project if you're getting bored of reading!!

Whilst we welcomed with The Environment Agency Anglia our siphon fish pass, Borrowash Larinier Fish Pass, midlands was also opened!  Featuring our HDPE Larinier tiles this fish pass is the largest in the Midlands and allows fish spawning activities to resume on these waters for the first time in over 100 years!  Standing on the banks of the River Derwent this fish pass also includes our elver passes to encourage the migration of eels as well as course fish and most importantly Salmonids.

We are working on featuring this on our project profiles page but in the meantime see what our partners, The Environment Agency and ITV news have to say about our innovative product...

ITV New Release

Environment Agency Webpage

To all those who have waited their entire Summer Holiday's we have just released our latest newsletter, an installation special covering some of the projects we have got the van out to this Summer

VIEW OUR NEWSLETTER

It features our installations at Goswick, Beal and Ross near Berwick Upon Tweed,

Includes information regarding Markham Brook WaStop installation which will hopefully be added to our project profiles shortly

Want to get our newsletter straight to your inbox... FILL OUT OUR WEBFORM

Check out a short video of our newest WaStop installation!  This particular project is pretty interesting as the flange had to be specially made to fit the headwall and a security grill attached over the top.  Watch this space for our Summer WaStop project profiles including installations from Wales and more!  In the meantime enjoy our video below...

...please note that some scenes are mid installation however the complete project is filmed at the end!  ENJOY!

Yesterday one of our customers asked our engineers  'is HDPE really stronger than metal?'.  Well we know how strong it is but what better way to demonstrate than by preparing a short video....and why only share it with only one of our customers?

Check out our HDPE Larinier Baffle as it faces the challenge of the sledgehammer and then the Landrover Defender!

10 points to our engineers who have prepared this gem for us in their lunch break

We have a new project profile for you to read!  This is a number of site we did in conjunction with Byzak construction on behalf of the Environment Agency.   We have installed over 100 fish friendly flapvalves throughout the UK and Ireland with no recorded loses or failures... I think from this case study you will see why

GOSWICK BEAL AND ROSS FISH FRIENDLY FLAP VALVES

We have just renewed our sponsorship for the Institute of Fisheries Management!  Two of our staff members are currently taking their diploma and certificate of fisheries management, which enable them to further tailor and design our products to better meet the needs of fisheries specialists and the fish themselves!

But we don't just support Fisheries, we have been corporate and local sponsors of the RSPB for some time, enabling them to fund wetland regeneration and increase areas for wading bird populations.

At ACE we work hard to give back and to help improve our local river communities, keep an eye on our news feed for staff volunteering and charity information!  If you'd like to know more about either organisation take a look at our useful links page where you can find a company profile and link to their sites.

For so long the fish friendly flap valve has been our biggest fish migration solution to date.  However ACE HDPE Larinier Fish Pass tiles have become pride of our cabinet....watch this space for it's own dedicated website page and leaflet.  The passes involve as series of baffles which increase water turbidity and create adequete resting pools.  Monitoring on one of our site is in the process of being released following the coarse fish migratory season.

Whilst you are waiting for our Larinier page launch why not take a look at our case study for Ashlone Wharf which features a Larinier Fish Pass, an eel pass or Elver pass alongside our traditional flapvalve and penstocks.  Otherwise see a picture of our HDPE Larinier Fish pass below, a test piece we take around with us to meetings.

HDPE is shatterproof and UV resistant and reduces civils and costs associated with it's metal counterparts.  That isn't to say that we don't to metal based tiles should you need them, we are just big fans of HDPE!!!

At ACE we work hard to keep you up to date on our latest information.  Testing and monitoring reports form a large part of our design and installation decisions.  We have updated a number of our fish friendly products with the latest research and monitoring reports so  take a look at:

Siphon Fish Pass

Fish Friendly Axial Turbine

Fish Deterrent Strobe Lights

Full copies of all the reports are always available, for our scientific followers do not hesitate to contact us for a copy!

That's Right... our June newsletter is out and on it's way to our newsletter registrants.  Bi-monthly our newsletter covers new products, new case studies and news from the team and offices.  Over 600 people currently benefit from our newsletters.  Interested?  Sign up on our contact page

To view our newsletter click on the link below:

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=050a0726b7ed67279f41e876e&id=628eee7995&e=[UNIQID]

The latest Berkenheger weed harvester and weed boat arrival took place in London on Wednesday!  These lucky boats will be used to maintain the waterways around the Olympic Park beyond, keeping London's Waterways clean and debris free...

British Waterways are running a great competition, allowing children to name the boats.  Their more senior Berky colleagues are called Taran-Chewer and the LEE mean clean machine so we cannot wait to hear the names!

For more information please sign up to receive our newsletters or follow us on twitter for updates

We've been getting a lot of requests for evidence of our WaStop working with effluent waste in household applications... so we thought we'd get the video for you and put it in our news!

The PVC range in sizes 75DN-200DN work exceptionally well in these gravity feed situations.  At around half the price of its Non-return valve competitors it does not need any replacement parts and installs quickly and simply into existing pipe structures.

For more information please see our WaStop page or contact us for more information

Zebrina and Martin, some of our newer team members are running together the Birmingham Bupa Half marathon this October.  Aiming to hit and exceed their 2 hour time target and to raise at least £400 for water aid in the process.

WaterAid helps the global population achieve the right to claen and reliable water access, a resource precious to us here at ACE...did you know...

• 783 million people in the world do not have access to safe water. This is roughly one in ten of the world's population.
  (WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report 2012 update)
• 2.5 billion people in the world do not have access to adequate sanitation, almost two fifths of the world's population.
  (WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report 2012 update)
• 1.4 million children die every year from preventable diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. This is equal to 160 school classrooms of children every day.  (WHO 2002)

If you would like to see more information on our charity campaign for this year please follow the link to see photos of their training and an update on their progress:

http://www.justgiving.com/ACEruns

New Thinking for Hydropower.  ACE has showcased an innovative solution bringing the Archimedean hydro-turbine into the 21st century.  Fish friendly and boasting high efficiencies, this turbine is appropriate for micro hydro schemes through to large scale power generation.  Read more http://www.wateractiveonline.co.uk/ on PAGE 40!

If you would like to know more please take a look at our product page for the ACE Archimedean Hydro-turbine or contact us for more information

Our First UK Siphon Fish Pass has been successfully installed at Wissey Syphon (yes, a siphon at a syphon!).  I know you are all itching to hear about it's monitoring progress and to see it for yourself so we have organised a professional and community launch party in September.  For more information and to be send an invitation in the coming months please fill out our enquiry form 

ACE have a mailing list of over 500 regular contacts and customers who get this newsletter in their inbox around 6-10 times a year.  With our latest project and product updates it is a must light read for all those who have a project coming up!  If you would like to register to receive our newsletters click here.

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=050a0726b7ed67279f41e876e&id=51d802acd4

If you have been working on a project for ACE and would like to help us write something then please let us know, we have a number of slots for joint press releases in advertisement and media coverage available!