Affinity Water has appointed a group of contractors to deliver its capital enhancement and capital maintenance programmes across the next two regulatory periods.

The framework partners for the capital enhancement schemes are Barhale, J Browne and Galliford Try, and for capital maintenance schemes are Barhale, J Browne, Stonbury and United Living.

The combined framework is estimated to be worth about £900M, with roughly £450M allocated to each regulatory period — AMP8 and AMP9.

Barhale, which secured places on both frameworks, will undertake a wide range of distribution network work. That includes mains renewals, network reinforcement and street works; commissioning and developer services such as new connections and water mains diversions; network modelling and data management; network calming; and MEICA (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation) for distribution assets.

The broader framework also covers design, build and commissioning of water treatment processes and associated civils, MEICA and process design, plus construction of booster pumping stations, service reservoirs and other clean water storage structures. Integration and automation of strategic network assets are included as well.

Affinity Water said the programme is intended to deliver efficient, cost‑effective improvements to its infrastructure to benefit customers while protecting water resources. The work will span two regulatory cycles overseen by Ofwat — AMP8 (covering 2025–2030) and AMP9 (2030–2035) — periods in which water companies are expected to meet tightened targets on leakage, resilience and environmental protection.

The appointments form part of a wider industry push to modernise ageing water networks and reduce leakage across England and Wales following regulatory pressure and growing scrutiny of companies’ investment plans. Exact phasing of projects, contract values for individual suppliers and start dates were not disclosed.

Affinity Water head of capital delivery Ben Hayward said: “We are pleased to have awarded five contracts and to be working with our delivery partners over the next five years and beyond.

“Together, we face a huge challenge to deliver for our customers, but by working collaboratively with our trusted partners, we will ensure we meet those expectations and deliver on our commitments to our customers.”

Barhale projects director – south region Daniel Meadowcroft said: “We are very proud to be extending our relationship with Affinity Water and it is a fantastic result for us to have been appointed to both schemes.

“We are looking forward to working alongside Affinity Water to complete a very exciting capital delivery programme over the next two regulatory periods. It will deliver important benefits in terms of network resilience, improved environmental performance and better services to its growing number of customers.”

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