Scottish Water has achieved a major milestone in its ongoing multimillion-pound project in central Edinburgh, with the successful installation of a 16-tonne screw pump as part of the refurbishment of McDonald Road Waste Water Pumping Station.

The underground waste water pumping station uses enormous Archimedean screw pumps to move millions of litres of waste water across the capital. It has been in operation for over 50 years and to ensure the continued efficiency and reliability of the sewer network, the site is undergoing a major refurbishment.

The installation of the screw pump required careful planning and coordination, due to its weight and size. The screw pump, which weighs as much as three African Elephants, is as long as a Lothian Bus (14 metres) and is 3 meters in diameter was installed into the ground by a crane with the teams on site taking extreme care in the tight location.


Many of the assets that keep our city's water and waste water cycle running is hidden underground. McDonald Road pumping station is crucial for managing the city's waste water and the upgrade is to ensure that it can continue to serve the local community and protect the environment for many years to come.

Steven Boon, Waste Water Operations Manager at Scottish Water said: "The successful installation of the screw pump marks a pivotal achievement in the project's timeline, reflecting the dedication and hard work of the team.

"Despite the complexities and challenges, the operation was seamless thanks to the teams careful planning, and it was great to have our CEO Alex Plant on site to mark the occasion".

The work is estimated to be completed by winter this year. The project is being delivered alongside delivery partner, Morrison Water Services.