Wind solution wins award

Installation of a wind pump at 725 Lafarge’s Finningley sand and gravel quarry near Doncaster, UK to help solve flooding issues has helped the company win a sustainability award. The pump took second place and ‘Highly Commended’ in the Sustainability section of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Pro-Yorkshire Awards 2011.

The Poldaw Windpump was installed next to the quarry to help drain a restored area which has been returned to agricultural use. The 11m high unit works on a float system, pumping water from a lake next to the restored agricultural fields into new drainage dykes when the level is high and keeping water circulating when levels are acceptable.

Lafarge opted for the wind-powered solution as it was concerned about the high energy costs of a conventional solution.