THE WATERWAY CO-OPERATIVE

Year 5 Design Thesis

Water is an integral issue within the current climate crisis, resulting in tangible and severe impacts to not just human life, but to the environment and all living things within it. The disregard and exploitation of natural bodies of water is greatly affecting the well-being of Bristol’s populace and biodiversity, particularly within the increasing sewage discharges by local water companies.

This thesis aims to address the growing issues of pollution and degradation of England’s natural bodies of water and their ecosystems within the climate crisis through programme and design.

The proposal seeks to restore the waterways of River Avon and increase biodiversity within the currently scarcely occupied and ecologically fragmented site, ensuring good water quality in water bodies to support healthy wildlife.

Interaction with the natural world can be encouraged by providing an improved landscape in which the benefits of respectful treatment of the environment can be experienced first hand by visitors. Humanity’s position within the watershed network will be explored.

Through large scale policy and masterplanning, this thesis proposes the necessary radical action needed to change the future of Bristol’s sewage and water system. The linear model of the water supply economy should be something of the past. The household and the industry alike should be responsible for living within our means with regards to water. Only by adopting a mindful and regenerative relationship with the environment, can the future of our water and the ecosystems that depend on it be safeguarded for future generations to come.

The proposal sits within the center of the proposed masterplan both physically and programmatically. Located on the edge of Spike Island at the junction of the New Cut and Cumberland Basin, it acts as the spearhead of efforts to restore River Avon and its surrounding habitats. The integration of both natural and mechanical water filtration methods allows for water to be filtered and purified at the mouth of the river, allowing its effects to be felt further downstream into central Bristol and beyond.

Public engagement is provided within the proposal through educational facilities and exhibitions as well as externally through the wetland park that connects to the existing harbour side walk route.

This experimental and pioneering scheme will provide pivotal research that can be duplicated around the UK, in the continuous efforts to restore and re-wild all natural bodies of water.

Wastewater Filtration and Habitat Restoration

The core programme is focused on wastewater treatment and cleaning of River Avon. Running parallel to this, the surrounding flood zone will be converted into a wetland habitat as a natural form of water filtration and removal of pollutants. The aim is for River Avon to achieve the Environment Agency’s ‘good’ bathing water status within 5 years of implementing the scheme.

Physical and Mental Wellbeing

Providing an opportunity for visitors to connect to the wider hydrological system around site, aiding in understanding the importance of restoring and protecting the natural environment. The physical and mental benefits of spending time in nature through open water swimming and nature walks through the restored wetlands will be experienced.

Research and Education

Research and education completes the holistic framework by ensuring the future viability of the proposal. Educating future generations on what it means to live within the means of our planet is the only sustainable way to overcome the climate crisis. Continuous exploration and innovation on water filtration methods and observing water quality within the facility will bring nationwide benefits when widely implemented.

Organic Surface

Subsoil

Substratum

Bedrock

With the limited amount of space and growing waste production following a growing population, the existing sewage infrastructure of Bristol is being overwhelmed, resulting in hours of untreated sewage discharged into River Avon. Resulting negative consequences of this pollution are exacerbated by the increasing frequency of seasonal floods for which there is currently inadequate protection against.

Echoing the Environmental Agency’s 2021 report of the environmental performance of England’s water and sewerage companies calling for stronger action on Chief Executives and Board members whose companies are responsible for serious and deliberate pollution incidents, this design thesis seeks to explore the future of Bristol’s sewage and water system by providing a sustainable but radical solution that will combat the climate crisis.

The programme encompasses the proposed action plan to reduce pollution of River Avon by firstly preventing the main issue of sewage overflow discharges by introducing a new sewage treatment facility. The short term solution is to use mechanical water filtration to remove existing pollutants from the river, and in the long term natural planting instated along and in River Avon will continue the process.

Water

Proposed rainwater harvesting pod that relies fully on gravity feed without needing pumps thus reducing energy use.

Collected rainwater

Watering spout Planters

Water catchment

Large filter preventing debris from entering system

Settling of impurities

Removal of impurities

Storage tank for rainwater to be used in flushing toilets

Drainage run connecting to sewage store to be processed in the sewage treatment facility

Stage 1: Rainwater is collected from the roofs using the drains installed within the greenroof system and is carried down clear pipes around various areas of the building.

Stage 2a: Collected rainwater collected is stored in the indoor ponds.

Stage 3a: The indoor pond is connected to the outdoor hydro-botanic filtration pond to achieve the EA’s excellent bathing water classification.

Stage 4: The pools are filled with naturally filtered water emulating wild water swimming qualities.

Stage 1: Rainwater is collected from the roofs using the drains installed within the greenroof system and is carried down clear pipes around various areas of the building.

Stage

Water is diverted along the main pipeline to be stored in the underground cistern.

Stage

Collected water is put through the three stages of filtration, joining the collected sewage in the sewage treatment facility to produce clean drinking water.

Stage 4: The sewage treatment facility results in the distribution of clean and affordable drinking water to homes around Bristol.

The proposal revolves around sustainable solutions with specific focus on integrating water and sewage filtration systems. Showcasing the sustainable water use cycle throughout the building is the main design driver.

Designed to BREEAM New Construction Technical Standards, the proposal aims to have minimal negative impacts to the environment. The proposal operates near carbon neutral by incorporating rainwater harvesting, being selfsufficient in producing energy through using renewable energy sources on site, and reducing energy use through the scheme.

Materials and construction methods chosen are mindful of the effects of flooding on the physical fabric of the building over time. As well as opting for local materials and builders to reduce embodied energy and stimulate local economy.

Soil with site produced fertiliser

Drainage layer to capture rainfall

Softwood furring strips @ 1:40 fall

Aluminium coping

Larch timber cladding

Glulam beams

Underfloor heating

Waterproof reinforced concrete

Insulated precast concrete sandwich panels

1 Year 25 Years

Rock pools act as a transitional experience for visitors between swimming in traditional pools and wild water swimming in the River Avon. These tidal rock pools can be filled with naturally filtered water produced in the water treatment facility, cleaning the water from River Avon to suitable bathing water standards.

Made from natural limestone, these rock pools creates an ideal habitat to encourage marine life growth using methods similar to artificial reefs. A micro-ecosystem forms and important local aquatic plants, mollusks and small animals begin to colonise the pool structure. The limestone begins to crumble and change as the tides and constant use from nature and humans naturally creates erosion.

50 Years

Nature has fully taken over the structure and the rock pools have mostly eroded and fallen apart. Visitor access to the pools have been restricted, however the implemented water filtration scheme has now removed pollutants and created suitable bathing water conditions all along River Avon. Visitors no longer need to rely on the rock pools and are accustomed to wild water swimming.