AtkinsRéalis has signed a three-year framework extension with South East Water to support engineering, asset planning and project delivery across the utility’s AMP8 investment programme.
AtkinsRéalis has extended its engineering and asset planning services framework with South East Water for three years.
As South East Water’s single-source supplier for framework engineering services, AtkinsRéalis will continue to provide engineering, asset planning and project management support.
The extension will support delivery of South East Water’s £1.9bn AMP8 investment programme, which is focused on improving drinking water resilience across the South East.
The new agreement follows an initial five-year contract signed in 2021.
AtkinsRéalis South East Water framework extended
Under the extended framework, AtkinsRéalis will continue to work with South East Water from project definition and asset planning through to design and delivery.
The companies said the agreement is intended to accelerate investment and improve outcomes for customers.
Richard Whale, Market Director for Water at AtkinsRéalis, said: “This extension reflects the strength of our relationship with South East Water and a shared commitment to delivering its long-term investment programme.
“With major investments planned to strengthen water resilience across the South East, we will bring the engineering, asset planning and programme expertise needed to help deliver these critical projects.
“From nationally significant reservoir schemes to new sources of water through desalination, they represent long-term investments that will help secure future water supplies and support the region’s growth.”
Framework supports major water resilience schemes
The partnership will support several major water resource and resilience projects designed to secure long-term water supplies across the South East of England.
These include Broad Oak Water and a second reservoir at Arlington, both Strategic Resource Options being developed to strengthen regional water resilience and help meet future demand.
South East Water’s Future Water plan includes a new reservoir at Broad Oak in Kent and a second reservoir at Arlington as part of its long-term water resources planning.
The company’s Broad Oak Water project is described as a large-scale investment and would be the second major reservoir built in the South East in the last three decades.
AtkinsRéalis is also assisting with the early-stage design of a major desalination scheme, which is being explored as part of South East Water’s long-term approach to securing reliable water supplies.
Strategic Partnership Charter signed
Alongside the contract extension, South East Water Chief Executive Officer John Halsall and Investment Delivery Director Paul Lonsdale signed a Strategic Partnership Charter with AtkinsRéalis Market Director for Water Richard Whale.
The charter was signed on Wednesday 19 August and is intended to support the increased scale and pace of South East Water’s investment programme.
The companies said the charter establishes the cultural code and shared values for the partnership, placing collaboration at its centre.
It is designed to integrate South East Water’s experience and knowledge with AtkinsRéalis’ cross-industry expertise, capability and capacity.
South East Water cites collaboration and delivery
South East Water Chief Executive Officer John Halsall said: “The challenges facing the water sector demand strong collaboration, clear focus and practical delivery.
“By strengthening the way we work together through this new Strategic Partnership Charter, we can bring the right expertise, capacity and experience to help deliver vital projects that improve resilience and provide long-term benefits for customers and communities across the region.”
The renewed commitment is intended to support asset management practices, innovation through project definition and delivery, and collaborative working across South East Water’s programme.
AtkinsRéalis said it has experience working with water companies across the UK and internationally, providing engineering, asset management and programme delivery services for infrastructure and water resilience programmes.
AMP8 investment targets future water supplies
South East Water’s AMP8 business plan runs from 2025 to 2030 and forms part of the wider water-sector investment cycle.
The company has described the programme as the largest investment programme in its history, with planned work including new sustainable water resources and resilience improvements.
The framework extension comes after South East Water’s recent leadership changes and a period of heightened scrutiny around supply resilience, customer service and long-term infrastructure planning.
For more coverage of water supply resilience and infrastructure planning, visit H2O Global News’ Water Management section.
Source: AtkinsRéalis; South East Water
