CASE STUDY:Bespoke Precast Pump Sumps for Harty & Leysdown Pumping Stations
JKH in collaboration with ACE
The Harty & Leysdown Pumping Stations are critical drainage facilities located on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Built in the 1970’s these stations manage water levels for low-lying catchments, protecting agricultural land and freshwater grazing marshes that support significant overwintering bird populations. According to the Association of Drainage Authorities, replacing these aging stations was necessary to protect unique habitats
The Challenge
The Harty and Leysdown pumping stations required full replacement in a low-lying, tidal environment, much of it at or below sea level.
The project needed to:
- Deliver two stations simultaneously under one programme
- Integrate large Archimedean screw pumps (1.6m diameter) with precise geometric requirements
- Operate within a sensitive ecological landscape (Ramsar, SPA, SSSI)
- Maintain tight tolerances to ensure correct pump performance
Traditional in-situ sump construction posed significant risks, particularly around accuracy, programme delays, and on-site complexity at a critical stage of installation.
the solution
Working alongside Aquatic Control Engineering (ACE), JKH designed and manufactured bespoke precast concrete pump sumps, engineered specifically for the screw pump systems. A key reason for selecting Archimedes screw pumps was their fish-friendly design. Their slow, gentle lifting action helps protect local fish populations by allowing aquatic life to pass through the pumping system with a significantly lower risk of injury, making them an ideal solution for this environmentally sensitive location.
Rather than adapting standard products, JKH delivered:
- Custom-designed sump geometry aligned to pump intake and operating angle
- Factory-manufactured modular units, delivered ready for installation
- A fully integrated intake system, reducing the need for on-site assembly
This off-site approach ensured precision, reduced risk, and streamlined installation across both stations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Bespoke engineering
Designed specifically for pump geometry, eliminating compromise - Off-site precision manufacturing
Built to tight tolerances, ensuring accuracy and consistency - Integrated system design
Supplied as a complete intake package, not separate components - Reduced construction risk
Eliminated complex in-situ works at a critical stage - Sustainable materials
ECO1 concrete with reduced cement content and lower CO₂e impact
The RESULTS
JKH’s precast solution enabled:
Faster, more controlled installation across both stations
Improved alignment and performance of pump systems
Reduced on-site complexity and programme risk
Long-term durability in a corrosive tidal environment
By delivering a fully engineered precast system, JKH helped ensure reliable water management infrastructure in a highly sensitive and demanding setting.
Read the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA) article about the project through the link below.
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