Thames Water Launches Statutory Consultation On Proposed New 150 Billion Litre Oxfordshire Reservoir
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29 October 2025
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Oct 29, 2025Water Briefing
With a 150 billion litre capacity, the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) would be situated near Abingdon, providing up to 271 mega litres of water per day during drought.
Image: illustration of the proposed new reservoir in Oxfordshire
The public consultation will run for 11 weeks, from 28 October 2025 to 13 January 2026, providing a formal opportunity for people to share their views and to help shape plans. Seven in-person and two online events will take place throughout November, where communities can meet Thames Water’s team of experts to find out more and ask questions.
The consultation represents a critical step for the project, with responses directly informing the application planning consent via a Development Consent Order whichThames Water will submit to Government in Autumn 2026. Should consent be granted, water would be available for use from 2040.
The consultation follows the hottest summer on UK record and England’s driest spring in over 100 years, underpinning the urgent need for new water infrastructure.
Leonie Dubois, Head of Engagement, Land and Consents at the water company said:
“The need for this reservoir has never been more urgent. Year after year, we're witnessing more frequent droughts and prolonged dry spells across the UK, and this summer was no exception.
“Our proposed reservoir is one of the most vital infrastructure projects in the country. It will safeguard water supply for millions of people across the South East, including local communities, protecting our precious rivers and groundwater sources in the process.
“The statutory consultation is the most significant milestone in our reservoir journey to date. Public feedback will shape our application for planning consent, which we will submit to Government next year. I’d encourage everyone to look at our latest plans, attend our events and speak to the team to see what the reservoir means for them.”
Climate change is already affecting water supply. Despite recent rainfall, millions of Thames Water customers remain under a hosepipe ban as the environment recovers from the effects of prolonged dry weather.
As demand grows and more extreme weather continues, a new place to store water will be essential. In the last decade, the number of water customers Thames Water serves increased by 1 million, to over 10 million and the company forecasts a further 2 million customers by 2050.
While the water utility has committed to halving leakage in the next 25 years and plans to roll out over a million more smart meters in the next five years, Thames Water says this alone will not be enough. Without new infrastructure, the company anticipates a shortfall of 1 billion litres of water each day by 2050.
Thames Water is encouraging anyone with an interest in the project to attend one of the seven in-person or two virtual events taking place during November.
To find details of the events click here.
People can have their say on the project by giving written feedback in one of the following ways:
Fill in the online feedback form available at the consultation website
Emailing the dedicated consultation response email address at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Filling in one of the printed feedback forms and posting it free of charge to FREEPOST SESRO CONSULTATION. Feedback forms will be available to collect from public information events, from various locations within the community or by requesting that one to be posted by the project team. Pre-addressed envelopes are available where there are printed feedback forms. No stamp is needed.
Deadline for the receipt of all responses in writing is11.59pm on 13 January 2026.
Click here to visit the SESRO website.
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Unlocking 25.5 Billion Litres Of Water In Central TasmaniaThe Northern Midlands irrigation scheme in Tasmania continues to notch milestones, with more than 100km of pipeline complete.
Once finished, this pipeline will deliver water to nearly 9000 hectares of farmland, providing access to 25.5 billion litres of water for local farmers.
The Poatine and Valleyfield pump stations will see complementary works undertaken on balance tanks continue into early next year, while key infrastructure works have been completed at the Poatina buffer dam – another important asset in ensuring water security for the Northern Midlands.
The irrigation scheme, which is set to deliver water from summer 2026, is already providing flow-on benefits, with local farms planning to expand their businesses, ink new crop and livestock contracts and bring on more workers.
The scheme itself has created 150 jobs during the construction phase.
“The Northern Midlands irrigation scheme is powering ahead, delivering local jobs in the short term for construction, and the long-term on the land,” Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said.
“We’re pleased to be helping to secure long term water supply for Tasmanian farmers, with $108 million invested by the Albanese Government through the National Water Grid to bring this program to life.”
Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce said the scheme was a “transformative project” for local farmers.
“We’ve invested more than $72 million in this project, highlighting our ongoing commitment to deliver the water security our farmers need to invest and grow,” he said.
The Northern Midlands irrigation scheme accompanies a $2 billion investment TasWater is carrying out to deliver water and sewerage upgrades across the state.
This will see the standardisation of water infrastructure across Tasmania, including water treatment plants and the construction of new pump stations.
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31 October 20252 min readUnlocking 25.5 Billion Litres Of Water In Central Tasmania
Pump Industry
31 October 2025
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Consultation Starts On First Part Of 70Km Cambridgeshire To Suffolk Water ‘Interconnector’Anglian Water and Cambridge Water have opened a public consultation on plans for a major new pipeline intended to bolster supplies to Cambridge and surrounding areas.
The proposed “interconnector” would carry water from Grafham Reservoir to the Rede area of Suffolk and west Cambridgeshire. The overall scheme envisages a roughly 70km strategic pipeline delivered in stages, with an initial 28km section running from Grafham to Cambridge being put forward first. The first is a transfer of water from Anglian Water’s Grafham reservoir, which will potentially deliver 26M litres of water a day into Cambridge Water’s region.
A later phase would include a spur to feed the city itself and a further extension into Suffolk, delivered solely by Anglian Water.
The consultation is for the initial 28km section. It started on 27 October and runs to 21 December 2025. It shows proposed routes and timetables and give residents an opportunity to question the project team before any formal planning application is submitted. Anglian Water and Cambridge Water say they will hold a series of events and make detailed maps, timelines and FAQs available to local communities.
Delivery of the Anglian Water elements of the pipeline will be led by the Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA), a consortium made up of contractors Costain, Farrans, Jacobs and Mott MacDonald Bentley, working alongside Cambridge Water.
The Cambridge-to-Rede section is due to be taken forward by Anglian Water at a later date. Ofwat accepted a £266M allowance in the utility company’s PR24 determination for the full 70km scheme, though this does not include Cambridge Water’s contribution for the first section.
Local reaction to the announcement is likely to focus on route choice, environmental impacts and disruption during construction. Large-diameter trunk mains can affect farmland, habitats and transport routes, so the consultation will be closely watched by parish councils, landowners and conservation groups keen to see detailed environmental assessments and mitigation measures.
The scheme sits against a backdrop of rising demand in the Cambridge and wider East of England area driven by population growth and new housing developments, and a series of dry winters that have renewed debate about long-term water security across England. Water companies are under increasing regulatory pressure to reduce the risk of shortages while meeting environmental obligations, and major interconnectors and new storage have become central elements of regional strategies to balance supply and demand.
If the proposals progress, the project will require planning consents and environmental approvals before construction can begin. The staged approach means that communities along the initial Grafham–Cambridge route will be the first to see detailed plans and potential impacts.
Anglian Water is also advancing other supply resilience work in the region. The Grafham–Cambridge interconnector forms part of its capital investment plans for the 2025–30 regulatory period (AMP8), which include new reservoirs and desalination capacity to tackle the long-term challenge of securing supply in the East of England – widely regarded as one of the driest parts of the country. The company is concurrently consulting on a separate reservoir proposal in the Cambridgeshire Fens until 10 December 2025.
Anglian Water director of water services Ian Rule said: “After the driest spring and summer since 1976, we’re seeing the harsh impacts of climate change on our region first-hand. In addition, the East of England is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, with 720,000 new residents expected by 2043. We’re acting now to ensure that, together with Cambridge Water, we can supply our region with clean, reliable water and strengthen local resilience to reduce the number of homes and businesses that rely on a single water source.”
Cambridge Water strategy and regulation director Caroline Cooper said: “This project has the potential to deliver 26M litres of water into our region every day. This much-needed interconnector will help us unlock a more sustainable future and ensure we continue to deliver a reliable water supply to our customers, enable the area’s growth ambition, relieve the pressure of abstraction on our underground aquifers, and retain more water for the environment and our local chalk streams.”
Anglian Water MD major infrastructure delivery Andy Alder said: “This is a pivotal project for our AMP8 infrastructure delivery in securing the supply of water in Cambridge, but it must be delivered in the right way. That includes ensuring that residents along the route have an opportunity to learn about the work we’re proposing and share their views during the planning process. We welcome contributions and feedback.
“As well as our communities, our environment is at the forefront of this project, too. We have already undertaken ecological surveys and adapted our plans to protect the wildlife along the route. Importantly, we’re making plans to move water using a new interconnecting pipeline to reduce the amount of water we need to take from the environment to supply customers’ taps in Cambridgeshire.”
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30 October 20255 min readConsultation Starts On First Part Of 70Km Cambridgeshire To Suffolk Water ‘Interconnector’
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30 October 2025
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Thames Water Launches Statutory Consultation On Proposed New 150 Billion Litre Oxfordshire ReservoirWith a 150 billion litre capacity, the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) would be situated near Abingdon, providing up to 271 mega litres of water per day during drought.
Image: illustration of the proposed new reservoir in Oxfordshire
The public consultation will run for 11 weeks, from 28 October 2025 to 13 January 2026, providing a formal opportunity for people to share their views and to help shape plans. Seven in-person and two online events will take place throughout November, where communities can meet Thames Water’s team of experts to find out more and ask questions.
The consultation represents a critical step for the project, with responses directly informing the application planning consent via a Development Consent Order whichThames Water will submit to Government in Autumn 2026. Should consent be granted, water would be available for use from 2040.
The consultation follows the hottest summer on UK record and England’s driest spring in over 100 years, underpinning the urgent need for new water infrastructure.
Leonie Dubois, Head of Engagement, Land and Consents at the water company said:
“The need for this reservoir has never been more urgent. Year after year, we're witnessing more frequent droughts and prolonged dry spells across the UK, and this summer was no exception.
“Our proposed reservoir is one of the most vital infrastructure projects in the country. It will safeguard water supply for millions of people across the South East, including local communities, protecting our precious rivers and groundwater sources in the process.
“The statutory consultation is the most significant milestone in our reservoir journey to date. Public feedback will shape our application for planning consent, which we will submit to Government next year. I’d encourage everyone to look at our latest plans, attend our events and speak to the team to see what the reservoir means for them.”
Climate change is already affecting water supply. Despite recent rainfall, millions of Thames Water customers remain under a hosepipe ban as the environment recovers from the effects of prolonged dry weather.
As demand grows and more extreme weather continues, a new place to store water will be essential. In the last decade, the number of water customers Thames Water serves increased by 1 million, to over 10 million and the company forecasts a further 2 million customers by 2050.
While the water utility has committed to halving leakage in the next 25 years and plans to roll out over a million more smart meters in the next five years, Thames Water says this alone will not be enough. Without new infrastructure, the company anticipates a shortfall of 1 billion litres of water each day by 2050.
Thames Water is encouraging anyone with an interest in the project to attend one of the seven in-person or two virtual events taking place during November.
To find details of the events click here.
People can have their say on the project by giving written feedback in one of the following ways:
Fill in the online feedback form available at the consultation website
Emailing the dedicated consultation response email address at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Filling in one of the printed feedback forms and posting it free of charge to FREEPOST SESRO CONSULTATION. Feedback forms will be available to collect from public information events, from various locations within the community or by requesting that one to be posted by the project team. Pre-addressed envelopes are available where there are printed feedback forms. No stamp is needed.
Deadline for the receipt of all responses in writing is11.59pm on 13 January 2026.
Click here to visit the SESRO website.
Water Briefing
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29 October 20254 min readThames Water Launches Statutory Consultation On Proposed New 150 Billion Litre Oxfordshire Reservoir
Water Briefing
29 October 2025
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Northumbrian Water Tenders £780 Million Amp8/9 Contract For Supply Of Energy And GasNorthumbrian Water (NWL) is looking to appoint a partner/s to support its energy supply for current
and growing requirements for business services over the next ten years for the import and export of electricity and gas across ~1,853 operational sites.
The contract has been split into the following Lots;
Scope of work to be undertaken by the successful bidders is anticipated to be as follows:
Core components for each Lot are as follows:
Requirement is for a supplier who can fulfil the following contract requirements and intends to put in place a framework agreement for the supply and administration of 1,829 electricity supply points including both import and export (1,314 NHH 515 HH - correct as of July 2025).
The contract has an estimated annual value of £53 million/year (estimated gross of any payments to NWL for electricity export). All electricity contracts must be provided by a single supplier. The successful suppliers must have appropriate supply licenses for import and export and must be able to demonstrate their experience in providing similar services to other clients.
Requirement is for for a supplier who can fulfil the following contract requirements and intends to put in place a framework agreement for the supply and administration of both import and export gas supply points (25 MPRNs - correct as of July 2025). The requirement is for gas supply contracts for 25 supplies covering import and export of gas. The contract has an estimated annual value of £4 million/year (estimated gross of any payments to NWL for gas export).
All gas contracts must be provided by a single supplier. The successful suppliers must have appropriate supply licences for import and export and must be able to demonstrate their experience in providing similar services to other clients.
Requirement is for a supplier to appoint a Meter Operator (MOP) provider to provide Data Aggregation and Data Collection (DA/DC) Services for any new or existing half-hourly electricity supply points. The MOP agreement will cover the installation, maintenance, and management of energy meters, ensuring accurate usage recording, proper upkeep, and regulatory compliance. As of July 2025, NWG is currently overseeing 515 HH MPANs.
Due to the timeline of this current tender, the water company acknowledges that the Market-wide Half- Hourly Settlement (MHHS) is a significant reform in the UK's electricity market, aiming to transition all electricity meters to half-hourly settlement. As per NWG's understanding, changes which will take place under MHSS are as follows:
Current estimated start and end contract dates are1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032 with two further possible extension options of two and three years respectively to 31 March 2036
Deeadline for submission of enquiries about the tender is 12:00pm on 14 November 2025 and deadline for submission of tenders is 12:00pm on 24 November 2025.
The procurement process is being conducted electronically with all documents and communication being managed through the Northumbrian Water e-Sourcing Spend Management portal 'Ariba' (https://s1.ariba.com).
Expressions of interest must be sent to the e-mail address
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
before the deadline date of 12:00pmon 18th November 2025.
Once an expression of interest has been received that contains the following information:
Applicants will be given access to the Ariba portal within 48 hours from request – the portal will contain all the tender documents associated with the procurement that are available at the time. An email link will also be provided to the email address provided by the applicant to access the portal.
The deadline for return of the completed tenders is 24th November 2025 at 12 noon and estimated award decision date is 1 March 2026.
Stages in the procurement process will consist of the following procedure:
Stage 1: Invitation to participate
Stage 1 commenced with the issuing of a Tender Notice.
Stage 2: conditions of participation & Invitation to submit initial tenders
Stage 2 will commence with the notification, inviting those suppliers which have indicated their interest to participate to submit a conditions of participation questionnaire and initial tenders and the publication of this document. This document includes a request for initial tenders which all suppliers are required to complete and must be submitted in accordance with the Procurement Timetable and instructions set out in this document and any additional information provided.
Once the assessment of initial tenders has concluded, suppliers will be notified in writing whether they have successfully been invited to Stage 3.
Stage 3 - Invitation to participate in dialogue and/or negotiate
Stage 3 will commence with the notification inviting suppliers that have successfully passed Stage 2 to attend one or more dialogue and/or negotiation meetings. The notification will also provide details of any new information made available to suppliers at this stage in the procurement process.
The notification will also describe how the dialogue and/or negotiations will be conducted, including the location and dates for the relevant meetings, as well as the attendee arrangements.
Stage 4: Invitation to submit a Best and Final Offer (BAFO)
Stage 4 will commence with the issuing of a letter inviting suppliers that have been successfully shortlisted at Stage 3 to submit their Best and Final Offers.
Stage 5: preferred supplier stage
After the deadline for submission of best and final offers, NWL will reconsider, in respect of each supplier that submitted, whether the supplier or any related persons within its corporate group, associated suppliers relied on to meet the conditions of participation, or proposed sub-contractors, are excluded or excludable suppliers and will consider whether to disregard the best and final offer.
If the supplier is an excluded or excludable supplier only by virtue of an associated supplier or proposed sub-contractor, NWL will notify the supplier of its intention to disregard its tender and provide the supplier with a reasonable opportunity to replace the associated supplier or sub-contractor.
NWL will conduct an assessment of all Best and Final Offers in order to identify the supplier which has submitted the most advantageous tender. Once the assessment has concluded, NWL will provide an assessment summary to all suppliers that submitted a Best and Final offer to:
Following the announcement of a contract award, which is subject to completion of a mandatory standstill period, Stage 4 will end with NWL entering into preferred supplier stage with the preferred supplier.
At preferred supplier stage - stage 5 - the highest scoring supplier will be invited to engage in further discussions with NWL as part of a preferred supplier stage. This stage will be used to finalise the draft contract terms and conditions and conclude with the entry of NWL into the contract with the preferred supplier.
Water Briefing
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28 October 20256 min readNorthumbrian Water Tenders £780 Million Amp8/9 Contract For Supply Of Energy And Gas
Water Briefing
28 October 2025
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United Utilities Awards £205 Million Amp8/9 Framework Contracts For Reservoir WorksPhoto: Thirlmere Reservoir
The framework was tendered in two separate Lots - Lot 1 had an estimated value of £80 million (ex VAT), while Lot 2 had an estimated value of £125 million (ex VAT) when the framework first went out to tender in November 2024.
The utility has appointed eight partners to carry out investigations, maintenance, repair and the replacement of assets across its 184 reservoirs – more than any water company in England which supply around 1.85 billion litres of drinking water to its customers on a daily basis.
The eight partners that have been chosen are
Scope of works to be provided under each Lot includes:
Contracts have been awarded for each Lot as follows:
Lot 1- Reservoir Improvements and Maintenance
Lot 2- Specialist Reservoir Ground Improvements
Commenting on the contract awards, Jane Simpson, Commercial Engineering and Capital Delivery Director for United Utilities, said:
“Our reservoirs are critical for keeping customers’ taps flowing across the North West as well as being iconic sites that many people enjoy visiting.
“The eight partners we have chosen will bring great expertise to help ensure we can maintain these reservoirs and provide our customers with the great quality drinking water they expect.”
Water Briefing
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25 October 20252 min readUnited Utilities Awards £205 Million Amp8/9 Framework Contracts For Reservoir Works
Water Briefing
25 October 2025
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Corpus Christi Approves $170 Million Groundwater Deal, Desalination Water Reserve(UI) — The Corpus Christi City Council has approved two major water supply agreements totaling more than $170 million to expand the city’s immediate and long-term water resources.
At its Oct. 21 meeting, the council authorized a $169.5 million groundwater purchase and sale agreement with Evangeline/Laguna, LP, along with related agreements with the City of Sinton and the St. Paul Water Supply Corporation.
The deal includes the purchase of 24 million gallons per day (MMg/d) of groundwater rights, with the first 12 MMg/d expected online by November 2026. The Evangeline Project, which has been in planning for decades, now moves into the design and construction phase. Pre-engineering and hydrogeologic modeling are already underway to support well field design and integration with the Mary Rhodes Pipeline system.
In a separate vote, the council approved a $2.7 million agreement with the Nueces River Authority (NRA) to reserve 50 MMg/d of desalinated water from the proposed Harbor Island Seawater Desalination Plant once it becomes operational.
The NRA’s “New Water for South Texas Plan” envisions a 100 MMg/d regional seawater desalination facility and pipeline network to serve multiple cities and water districts across South Texas — a project that aligns with recent legislative priorities for large-scale regional water infrastructure.
Together, the two measures strengthen Corpus Christi’s long-term strategy to secure a sustainable and diversified water supply for future growth.
Underground Infrasturcture
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25 October 20252 min readCorpus Christi Approves $170 Million Groundwater Deal, Desalination Water Reserve
Underground Infrasturcture
25 October 2025
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Securing 20 Million Litres Of Water For The BarossaMore than 55,000 consumers across the Barossa region in South Australia will benefit from improved water security as two new 10-megalitre storage tanks are built.
Initial earthworks and pipework installation are nearing completion, with the first concrete slab to be established in November.
Once complete, new water supply will reach growth areas from Craigmore to Roseworthy, as well as western areas of the Barossa.
The project forms part of the SA Government’s $1.5 billion investment in critical water and sewer infrastructure to establish capacity for new homes across Adelaide’s northern and southern fronts.
“These are the largest tanks we have built in Greater Adelaide for more than a decade, and at 6.5m high and 48m wide, (they will) collectively store 20 million litres of drinking water,” SA Water general manager for growth Amanda Lewry said.
“The tanks will ensure reliable services to more than 55,000 existing customers while enabling growth in new and expanding greenfield developments throughout Adelaide’s outer north.
“Importantly, the site was designed for scalability, with space to accommodate additional storage tanks as required to support future growth across the region – including the recently rezoned Concordia.”
Each built with 36 pre-cast concrete panels, the tanks have a 100-year operating life. Newly installed valves have been installed to an inlet and outlet trunk main connecting the tanks with the broader Barossa system. A new tank inlet control facility will be installed to support expected higher flow volumes in the future, as well as further upgrades.
“By investing in this long-term solution, we are enhancing service reliability and security of supply in giving operators greater flexibility to manage key assets, including the Barossa water treatment plant,” Lewry said.
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Pump Industry
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23 October 20252 min readSecuring 20 Million Litres Of Water For The Barossa
Pump Industry
23 October 2025
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Charlottesville, Va., Begins Five-Mile Central Water Line ProjectCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (UI) — The Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA) is set to begin construction next week on the Central Water Line Project, a five-mile pipeline designed to strengthen Charlottesville’s drinking water system and improve reliability across the region.
Work will begin on Lewis Street and move north toward the University of Virginia. The project includes installing 24- and 30-inch ductile iron water mains connecting the South Rivanna and Observatory water treatment plants. The line will create a high-capacity backup route to ensure continued water service in the event of a break elsewhere in the system.
“This project marks a significant endeavor that will provide immediate benefits upon completion for current and future generations,” RWSA said.
The construction is divided into nine stages, beginning in late October 2025 and extending through November 2028, with work primarily scheduled Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will use a “convoy method” — excavating, laying pipe, and backfilling in sequence — to minimize lane closures and maintain local access. Temporary steel plates and traffic control measures will be in place throughout the project.
According to RWSA, the Central Water Line is part of a $300 million, five-year investment plan to upgrade raw and finished water pipelines, reservoirs, and treatment plants across Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The program aims to expand capacity, increase redundancy, and reduce the risk of service interruptions.
Underground Infrasturcture
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21 October 20252 min readCharlottesville, Va., Begins Five-Mile Central Water Line Project
Underground Infrasturcture
21 October 2025
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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
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.
Water Briefing
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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.
Water Briefing
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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.
Water Briefing
water
15 October 20252 min readNetwork Rail Infrastructure Ltd Tenders £163.2 Million Framework Contract For Civils Examination Of Structural Assets
Water Briefing
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water
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.”
Water waste water asia
water
15 October 20254 min readU.S. Midstream Water Market Totals Us$156 Billion From 2025–2030, Driven By Growth In The...
Water waste water asia
15 October 2025
water