Southern Water Issues Rfi Ahead Of Tendering £120M Amp8 Contract From Suppliers With Proven Expertise In Sewer Sealing
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17 October 2025
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Oct 17, 2025Water Briefing
The tendering process is planned to commence in late 2025/early 2026 to support planned sewer sealing work in AMP8, with the contract, which has an estimated value of £120 million (inc VAT) commencing in 2026.
Southern Water said it is committed to reducing storm overflows and managing the volume of water entering the sewer network. A key part of this strategy involves sealing sewers to limit water infiltration and inflow, helping to protect the environment and improve network resilience.
Southern Water is now seeking information on supplier capacity, mobilisation readiness, geographic delivery options, and in-house technical capabilities for both pipe and manhole interventions.
The aim of the market engagement is to assess capabilities to deliver planned programmes using recognised industry techniques for sealing groundwater out of pipes including:
Southern Water is seeking the following information from interested suppliers:
Southern Water are emphasising that the engagement is separate from the Wastewater Network Services - Lot 4, which focuses on reactive repair and maintenance of live assets. Instead, this latest initiative is forward-looking, targeting proactive sealing interventions to support the company’s long-term environmental and operational goals.
The objective is to identify contractors able to programme and deliver sewer sealing works at scale, reduce inflow and infiltration, and restore or improve hydraulic and structural integrity across the utility’s sewer network.
The tendering process is planned to commence in late 2025/early 2026 to support planned sewer sealing work in AMP8, with the contract commencing in 2026. Current estimated start and end contract dates are 1 August 2026 to 1 August 2030 with a further possible extension to 1 July 2033.
Southern Water is reserving the right to engage in further discussions with any organisation, regardless of whether they respond to the initial RFI.
Deadline to respond to the RFI engagement is 15 November 2025 - contact email is
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Southern Water Issues Rfi Ahead Of Tendering £120M Amp8 Contract From Suppliers With Proven Expertise In Sewer SealingThe tendering process is planned to commence in late 2025/early 2026 to support planned sewer sealing work in AMP8, with the contract, which has an estimated value of £120 million (inc VAT) commencing in 2026.
Southern Water said it is committed to reducing storm overflows and managing the volume of water entering the sewer network. A key part of this strategy involves sealing sewers to limit water infiltration and inflow, helping to protect the environment and improve network resilience.
Southern Water is now seeking information on supplier capacity, mobilisation readiness, geographic delivery options, and in-house technical capabilities for both pipe and manhole interventions.
The aim of the market engagement is to assess capabilities to deliver planned programmes using recognised industry techniques for sealing groundwater out of pipes including:
Southern Water is seeking the following information from interested suppliers:
Southern Water are emphasising that the engagement is separate from the Wastewater Network Services - Lot 4, which focuses on reactive repair and maintenance of live assets. Instead, this latest initiative is forward-looking, targeting proactive sealing interventions to support the company’s long-term environmental and operational goals.
The objective is to identify contractors able to programme and deliver sewer sealing works at scale, reduce inflow and infiltration, and restore or improve hydraulic and structural integrity across the utility’s sewer network.
The tendering process is planned to commence in late 2025/early 2026 to support planned sewer sealing work in AMP8, with the contract commencing in 2026. Current estimated start and end contract dates are 1 August 2026 to 1 August 2030 with a further possible extension to 1 July 2033.
Southern Water is reserving the right to engage in further discussions with any organisation, regardless of whether they respond to the initial RFI.
Deadline to respond to the RFI engagement is 15 November 2025 - contact email is
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
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17 October 20252 min readSouthern Water Issues Rfi Ahead Of Tendering £120M Amp8 Contract From Suppliers With Proven Expertise In Sewer Sealing
Water Briefing
17 October 2025
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Scottish Water On Track To Deliver Major £140M Investment In Biggest Overhaul Of Perth’S Water And Drainage Infrastructure In A GenerationThe major package of investment spans development areas north and west of the city; the recently completed ‘super sewer’; and a major upgrade to the city’s Waste Water Treatment Works.
The work will support Perth’s rapid growth and improve its resilience to climate change and provides the capacity needed to serve new homes and businesses, equivalent to a 40% increase in the city’s population, while also reducing the risk of sewers being overwhelmed during intense rainfall.
Scottish Water Chief Executive Alex Plant said:
“This project is a massive boost to Perth’s growing economy. We’re delivering the biggest upgrade to the City’s water infrastructure for a generation, ensuring that the city can continue to grow and flourish, even in the face of the real challenges that more extreme weather brings.
“Partnership work in this case unlocked the opportunity to support the city’s growth and reduce flood risk at the same time. Long-term investment like this is essential to meet the long-term challenges of more extreme weather, population change and renewing infrastructure, but we know that engineering alone won’t be enough. We need to work more closely than ever before with our partners and with our customers to recognise Scotland’s water as a precious resource and take care of it.”
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin, joined Scottish Water Chief Executive, Alex Plant, in Tay Street to see first-hand the extent of the works.
Over a two-year period, Scottish Water worked to excavate and install a 2.2 metre diameter pipeline, beneath Tay Street and Shore Road, to reinforce the spine of the city’s sewer system. The major engineering project involved extensive utility diversions, temporary alterations to the city centre’s road network, pumping of the city’s main sewer through temporary pipework above ground and deep excavation in the challenging conditions alongside the River Tay.
Work in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council was instrumental in the design of the scheme, throughout its delivery and in the full reinstatement of the affected roads at completion.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin commented:
“Extreme weather is becoming more common as a result of climate change, with more heavy rainfall and flooding events taking place across the country.
“This super sewer in Perth, is a great example of evidence-led investment by Scottish Water to addresses known flood risks making the local community more resilient to the impacts of climate change whilst also preparing for the growing number of people living in the local area.
“I have also been impressed by the way our publicly owned Scottish Water have engaged with the local community taking care to inform them of progress and take account of their needs during the delivery of this vital investment.”
Elsewhere in the city, in addition to the super sewer, over 6km of new strategic sewer has been installed to drain growing communities to the west of the city bypass. A 6 million litre drinking water storage tank has been built on high ground above Bertha Park; and over 9 km of new strategic water mains have been laid. A £61.5 million upgrade to Perth Waste Water Treatment Works is also currently underway and expected to be complete by early 2027.
Recent work by independent economists found that Scottish Water’s activity contributes almost £4.5 billion of value to Scotland’s economy every year. For every £1 invested, around £3 of value is created through jobs with Scottish Water and its supply chain. Investment in major infrastructure upgrades like Perth also has a critical enabling role, supporting the provision of much-needed new homes and helping to reduce the risk of flooding in intense rainstorms.
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15 October 20254 min readScottish Water On Track To Deliver Major £140M Investment In Biggest Overhaul Of Perth’S Water And Drainage Infrastructure In A Generation
Water Briefing
15 October 2025
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Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Tenders £163.2 Million Framework Contract For Civils Examination Of Structural AssetsCivils examinations within Network Rail refer to the inspection, examination and reporting of structural assets to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of railway infrastructure. The examinations help identify defects, monitor structural integrity, and determine necessary maintenance or repair works to prevent failures and ensure continued safe operation of the rail network.
The framework's scope will cover critical infrastructure, including bridges, culverts, retaining walls, coastal and estuary defences, underwater structures and tunnels.
All spend is estimated and may vary depending on demand and requirements - currently the estimated spend under the framework is put at £113 million (ex VAT) over the 8 year period of the framework.
Current estimated start and end contract dates are 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 with further possible extension options up to 30 June 2034.
The contract is being tendered in the following Lots:
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd is looking to appoint up to three suppliers to the fraework.
The framework will operate under a schedule of rates which will be used to determine the cost of an annual work bank. For the commercial evaluation of the framework each bidder will provide a range of costs within a pricing document which will then create a total cost to be used in evaluation.
For Lot 1, the supplier will receive 100% of the work bank and the suppliers 1 / 2 for Lot 2 will receive 100% of the work bank for its allocated route within the region
Deadline to submit enquiries about the tender is 11:59 pm on 4 November 2025 and deadline to submit requests to participate is 11:59pm on 11 November 2025.
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd expects to announce the award decision date in April 2026.
The procurement process will consist of a conditions of participation stage (requiring completion of a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) followed by a multi- stage tender process consisting of 2 stages down selecting each stage as follows:
For further information and to access the documents below click here https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html to access Bravo, Network Rail's end-to-end procurement system.
i. Bravo Project Reference - project_42363 - #40144 - CEFA Structures Examinations
ii. PQQ: pqq_3727 - W&W Civils Examination Framework Agreement
Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd expects to announce the award decision in April 2026.
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15 October 20252 min readNetwork Rail Infrastructure Ltd Tenders £163.2 Million Framework Contract For Civils Examination Of Structural Assets
Water Briefing
15 October 2025
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U.S. Midstream Water Market Totals Us$156 Billion From 2025–2030, Driven By Growth In The...Water management has become a defining factor in the economics of U.S. oil and gas production. From sourcing and transport to treatment and disposal, its role now extends beyond operations to shaping drilling strategies, infrastructure investments, and energy security.
According to a new Insight Report by Bluefield Research, the U.S. midstream water market for oil and gas is projected to total US$156 billion between 2025 and 2030, averaging more than US$26 billion per year at a 2.1% compound annual growth rate. The expansion is being driven by strong energy demand in the U.S. and abroad, particularly in fast-growing sectors such as data centres and new export markets in Europe and Asia.
“For exploration and production companies, midstream water has shifted from a secondary concern to a priority for operational performance,” said Sophie Washington, senior analyst at Bluefield Research. “As operators face increasing water volumes and seismic risks, more efficient water management strategies will be key to reducing costs and ensuring reliable production.”
Midstream water—including supply, transport, storage, treatment, and disposal—plays a central role in oil and gas well completion. Transporting water, whether freshwater for operations or produced water from extraction, accounts for 43% of operators’ total water-related costs.
Due to rising transport costs, higher freshwater prices, and tighter disposal regulations, recycled produced water is expected to supply over 75% of the hydraulic fracturing demand in the U.S. by 2030.
“A 1,500% surge in seismic events in the Permian Basin between 2017 and 2022, combined with growing volumes of produced water, has made investments in reuse and pipeline infrastructure far more compelling than a decade ago,” Washington added. “These shifts underscore water’s role as a critical input shaping longer-term operational and investment decisions.”
The Permian Basin is set to lead U.S. midstream water spending, accounting for US$101.8 billion through 2030—nearly two-thirds of total market value. It is projected to require an average of 46.5 billion gallons of water annually for new well completions during the forecast period.
Secondary basins such as Eagle Ford (US$14.1 billion) and Bakken (US$13.0 billion) will also contribute to market growth, while the Appalachian Basin remains vital for natural gas production and U.S. liquefied natural gas exports. Regional characteristics—such as topography, transport logistics, and disposal options—will continue to shape basin-specific opportunities for midstream water operators.
Over the next five years, US$16 billion in capital expenditure is expected for water-related infrastructure. This includes pipelines aimed at reducing reliance on trucking, recycling facilities to enable large-scale reuse, and disposal wells under increasing regulatory scrutiny.
These investments reflect a broader shift toward efficiency, positioning operators to secure long-term cost advantages while meeting environmental and compliance requirements. The rise of more water-intensive drilling methods, including longer horizontal wells, is also influencing infrastructure needs. The average horizontal well now extends 12,000 feet and uses 7.8 million gallons of water, with some supermajors pushing beyond 20,000 feet—nearly four miles—setting new benchmarks for water demand.
Energy market volatility has accelerated consolidation and vertical integration in the midstream water sector. Since 2020, 32 mergers and acquisitions have reshaped the landscape, as firms pursue scale and integrated service models.
Leading operators include Select Water Solutions, Aris Water Solutions—recently acquired by Western Energy Solutions—and WaterBridge, which debuted its initial public offering on 17 Sep 2025. Together, they manage over 14,000 miles of pipelines and hundreds of produced water treatment facilities, positioning themselves as basin-specific leaders through partnerships with major exploration and production firms.
“The market’s maturation is reflected in the greater strategic and financial discipline shown by companies after years of volatility and consolidation,” said Washington. “With just over a decade of large-scale shale development behind it, the sector’s next chapter will increasingly be defined by more deliberate and innovative water strategies.”
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15 October 20254 min readU.S. Midstream Water Market Totals Us$156 Billion From 2025–2030, Driven By Growth In The...
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15 October 2025
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Affinity Water Selects Barhale As Capital Delivery Partner For £900 Million Amp8 And Amp9 Capital ProgrammesBen Hayward, Head of Capital Delivery at Affinity Water, commented:
“We are pleased to have awarded five contracts and to be working with our delivery partners; Barhale, Galliford Try, United Infrastructure and J Browne 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.”
The estimated total value of the framework is £900 million, with around £450 million earmarked for each regulatory period.
The framework partners are, for Capital Enhancement Schemes: Barhale; J Browne; and Galliford Try, and for Capital Maintenance Schemes: Barhale; J Browne; Stonbury; and United Living.
Barhale will be responsible for works comprising: mains renewals; network reinforcements; street works; commissioning; developer services including new connections and water mains diversions; network modelling and network data management; network calming; and MEICA for distribution assets.
The framework also covers: the design, build and commissioning of water treatment processes - including civils; MEICA and process design; the design, build and commissioning of booster pumping stations, service reservoirs and similar structures such as clean water tanks; and the integration of assets - including automation/control of the strategic network.
The programme is designed to ensure efficient, cost-effective improvements to Affinity Water’s infrastructure to benefit customers while safeguarding vital water resources.
Daniel Meadowcroft, Projects Director – South Region at Barhale 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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11 October 20252 min readAffinity Water Selects Barhale As Capital Delivery Partner For £900 Million Amp8 And Amp9 Capital Programmes
Water Briefing
11 October 2025
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Affinity Water Contracts Barhale, Galliford Try And Others To £900M Capital Enhancement FrameworkAffinity 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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11 October 20253 min readAffinity Water Contracts Barhale, Galliford Try And Others To £900M Capital Enhancement Framework
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11 October 2025
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New Report Shows Nearly 772 Million Litres Of Water Lost Annually Due To LeakagesWith rising water scarcity, increasing tariffs, aging infrastructure, and stricter regulations, property owners are under growing pressure to better understand their water consumption.
Leading water data provider Smartvatten has published its fourth Annual Water Report, analysing water usage and conditions in residential and commercial buildings.
The report draws on proprietary water consumption data from 5,370 properties in 36 countries monitored continuously for more than 24 months. Additionally, the report utilizes global water price and resource data.
Smartvatten’s report shows that nearly 772 million litres of water were lost to leakages over the course of a year, an estimated cost of at least 3 million euros. On average, each leak resulted in over 13,000 litres of wasted water, with the biggest incident causing water loss of 18,8 million litres – increasing financial strain and raising safety concerns for homeowners.
Hospitality properties are the leakiest, averaging 22 leaks per year and 485,000 litres lost annually. Although they represent just 4.5% of properties, they make up 11% of total leak volume due to continuous use and delayed detection.
Retail and office spaces frequently experience moderate leaks due to complex plumbing and nighttime inactivity. However, a quick intervention can prevent over 230,000 litres of annual loss. Sports facilities have the largest leaks per incident, averaging 33,000 litres, often because idle periods let leaks go unnoticed.
Industrial sites see fewer but larger leaks, often from aging infrastructure and machinery.
Healthcare facilities lose 130,000 litres yearly, 77% of which stems from long-term leaks, making real-time monitoring critical. Residential properties report the highest number of leaks, though most are relatively minor, highlighting the need for tenant awareness and preventive maintenance.
Meanwhile, the report also shows how water prices have risen all across Northern Europe. In the UK, for example, costs increased by more than 8 percent year-over-year. The average increase in Europe is close to 10 percent higher between 2023 and 2024, compared to a general inflation rate of 4-5 percent in most of the region.
This upward trajectory in prices can be directly attributed to factors such as new tariffs, water scarcity, and aging infrastructure, which present significant challenges for both households and enterprises alike. Water scarcity affects various river basins across the EU, where urban population density and water abstraction for public supply, energy, and industry are significant factors. Over the last decade, droughts have also increased in frequency and severity, impacting seasonal water availability.
Karl Jepsson, Chief Strategy & Product Officer at Smartvatten commented:
“Climate change, pollution, and an ever-increasing population are profoundly changing the European water landscape. Water shortages have already led to property devaluation across Northern, Central and Southern Europe, and investors are now prioritizing sustainable assets that mitigate these risks. Both the European Union and the United Kingdom have introduced legislation demanding careful management and transparent reporting when it comes to water, and the EU just adopted the first-ever Water Resilience Strategy, highlighting that a serious focus on sustainable water management is urgently required.”
Real-time monitoring of water consumption has a measurable impact: according to the report, properties equipped with modern water consumption monitoring systems collectively saved over 1 million litres of water. In addition to reducing water waste, water monitoring can significantly lower a property’s energy bills.
Smartvatten’s report also details the energy-intensive process behind producing clean water. Before reaching the tap, water must be extracted, purified, transported, and distributed -- each step consuming energy. After use, it must be treated before safely re-entering the natural water cycle. Households further increase energy demand by heating water: around 40% of household water use is hot, with higher temperatures requiring more energy.
Reducing water consumption directly lowers energy costs. On average, a 20% reduction in water use results in approximately 5% lower energy bills. With rising water and energy prices, cutting water waste is an increasingly effective way to save money and reduce environmental impact.
“Real estate owners can save hundreds of thousands of euros annually by taking water consumption and leakage prevention seriously. Regulations will not ease, water scarcity is not getting better, and infrastructure keeps aging – the time to act is now to ensure we have fresh water in the future,” Karl Jepsson concludes.
Click here to access the report online
Water Briefing
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10 October 20254 min readNew Report Shows Nearly 772 Million Litres Of Water Lost Annually Due To Leakages
Water Briefing
10 October 2025
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South East Water Completes First Project In £1.2 Billion Amp8 Business PlanThe company is currently planning to install or replace more than 388 kilometres of pipeline to upgrade and enhance their water supply across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. The first project was completed in Smarden, Kent, in September – the utility needed to replace around 150 metres of an ageing water mains which had become unreliable, and had a history of bursts. Work started on Monday 4 August, and was completed on Monday 15 September.
A second scheme in the area at Pluckley started last week and will take around nine weeks to complete.will see around 640 metres of new pipeline laid.
Head of Engineering for South East Water, Desmond Brown, said:
“We’re pleased to have smoothly delivered the first project of this new business cycle. We have an ambitious plan to upgrade our water supply network; replacing unreliable mains, upgrading our treatment works and reservoirs, and installing new pipelines to provide support to the network in localised areas and to provide us with a more connected, more flexible, more resilient network. This investment over five years will ensure we can always continue to supply our customers with top quality drinking water for years to come.”
Water Briefing
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07 October 20251 min readSouth East Water Completes First Project In £1.2 Billion Amp8 Business Plan
Water Briefing
07 October 2025
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Mod Invites Supply Chain Input In Upcoming Procurement Of £3.12 Billion Contract For End To End Water And Wastewater ServicesOn behalf of the MoD the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has updated the agenda for its upcoming Industry Day on 14th October. DIO is also inviting interested suppliers to submit questions and comments about its MSP Concept Document published in August which has been designed to provide insight to MoD`s proposed design of arrangements, to be utilised and implemented by the selected MSP.
DIO said it will endeavour to provide responses to questions submitted before Friday 10th October at the Industry Day.
The Industry Day will be an opportunity for Industry to engage with the DWSP Team, DIO representatives and wider industry.There will be networking opportunities with other Industry providers including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Non-participation in the Industry Day will not preclude any organisation from participating in any future competition.
Potential topics could include the following:
All questions and comments should be submitted to to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. DIO will publish all questions and responses including additional questions raised at the Industry Day by Friday 24th October.
Click here to access the MSP Concept Document
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07 October 20251 min readMod Invites Supply Chain Input In Upcoming Procurement Of £3.12 Billion Contract For End To End Water And Wastewater Services
Water Briefing
07 October 2025
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Severn Trent Water Awards £200 Million Amp8 Contract For Ami MetersScope of the contract covers the provision of Smart Meters and associated communication network capability, together with data services.
Expected volume is approximately 780,000 meters to be supplied with an enabled wide area network, to achieve an applicable data success rate threshold. Initial contract term is 5 years - the utilities have the option to extend the contract into AMP9 for up to a further 3 years.
Severn Trent Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy were looking to appoint a framework contract to a partner for the provision of its AMP8 Smart Metering solution which will assist the companies in achieving strategic goals in terms of reducing Per Capita Consumption and Supply Side Leakage for both household and non household customers.
Service requirements in scope are:
Suppliers tendering for the contract were required to provide:
The tender document originally consisted of three separate Lots as follows:
Severn Trent has opted to award the contract to a single Managed Service Provider - Netmore IOT Solutions Ltd, has been awarded the contract, one of nine suppliers who tendered for the work.
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07 October 20251 min readSevern Trent Water Awards £200 Million Amp8 Contract For Ami Meters
Water Briefing
07 October 2025
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Scottish Water Makes 300-Ha Strategic Land Purchase To Protect Water Quality At Talla ReservoirAn 80-hectare (ha) native woodland creation scheme at Talla Reservoir in the Borders is being planned to protect the source water quality for thousands of customers in Edinburgh in the face of climate change.
In order to carry out the scheme, Scottish Water has for the first time made a 300-ha strategic land purchase aimed at securing the water quality of the catchment well into the future.
The ‘Water Woods’ project will see thousands of native broadleaves such as aspen, rowan, oak, alder and downy birch planted at the site towards the south eastern end of the reservoir, as well as work to enrich existing woodland above the northern shore and to plant montane woodland at higher altitudes.
The aim is to help stabilise the soil surrounding the reservoir so that less organic matter is washed into the water during periods of extreme rainfall which are increasing in frequency due to climate change. This will make the treatment process simpler and less energy intensive.
The trees will also provide an element of resilience against drought by holding more water in the ground, which is then slowly released into the reservoir.
A total of 55 hectares of the scheme will be made up of montane woodland, making it one of the largest montane schemes in the Southern Uplands. The important habitat has almost vanished in Scotland due to grazing by red deer and sheep and will have a positive impact on biodiversity in the area.
Net Zero General Manager at Scottish Water Elise Cartmell said:
“This is a significant woodland creation project which marks a strategic approach to creating water sources that are resilient to the impacts of climate change.
“By purchasing this key area of land surrounding the reservoir and planting native woodland, we can help limit the amount of organic matter being washed into the reservoir during extreme rainfall and ensure we continue to produce high quality drinking water for our customers in Edinburgh.”
Scottish Water woodland creation programme manager Stephen Garbett added:
“The work we are planning for this area builds on the back of other local schemes such as the one to the west of the reservoir led by the Borders Forest Trust – this allows us to link up habitats and create wildlife corridors, which has significant benefits for biodiversity.
“The scheme would also give a very substantial boost to montane woodland in the Borders. These are the smaller species of trees and shrubs that thrive in higher altitudes at the tops of mountains and support a range of plants and invertebrates, as well as providing foraging opportunities for birds and mammals.”
Water Briefing
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03 October 20253 min readScottish Water Makes 300-Ha Strategic Land Purchase To Protect Water Quality At Talla Reservoir
Water Briefing
03 October 2025
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Portsmouth Water Awards £170 Million Amp8/9 Contract For Non-Infrastructure (Meica) Engineering Services FrameworkAt the time Portsmouth Water was reviewing its strategic options for the delivery of Non-Infrastructure investment projects – the company said it was committed to investing c£85 million in its Non-Infrastructure asset maintenance and improvements during AMP8 (2025-2030) with similar levels of investment forecast for AMP9 (2030-2035).
Scope of the wide-ranging contract includes:
The aim of the Non-Infrastructure (MEICA) and other construction/engineering services procurement was to establish the key Framework Contracts with two Delivery Partners that will support Portsmouth Water’s Non-Infrastructure (above ground) investment needs for AMP8 and potentially AMP9.
Contracts have been awarded to Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd and Integrated Water Services Limited, two of four companies who tendered for the work.
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30 September 20251 min readPortsmouth Water Awards £170 Million Amp8/9 Contract For Non-Infrastructure (Meica) Engineering Services Framework
Water Briefing
30 September 2025
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