Yesterday (Wednesday 27 April), British Water hosted an online event that unpacked the procurement process and contracts within the UK water industry.
The Water and Wastewater Procurement Explained Briefing featured six expert speakers who took participants on a journey through the procurement process, at all stages of a project lifecycle – from inception right the way through to commissioning and handover.
The session took a look at collaborative industry contracts, discussed the importance of embedding supply chain resiliency and highlighted a number of impressive case studies.
For many of the participants, who came from industries as diverse as manufacturing and law, this was their first foray into the procurement side of the water sector.
Mar Batista, head of programmes at British Water and chair for the session, said: “We believe the session offered a clear and informative overview of procurement in the water and wastewater industry, and we are already receiving great feedback from the attendees.
“British Water is delighted to be offering a wide range of briefings to help the water industry to gain knowledge on specific hot topic areas,” she added.
Sacira Coric, director for programme advisory at Turner & Townsend Infrastructure, said she was delighted to present on Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC), a new contracting model for large water infrastructure projects, and explore some of the procurement challenges facing the industry.
“It was an ideal timing for such a discussion considering the level of investment planned and the diversity in procurement approaches available,” said Sacira. “Meeting long term consumer needs whilst protecting their interest and preserving the environment requires strategic thinking, continuous engagement with the market and a variety of funding sources.
“The economic regulation of the water sector is also evolving. All in all – these are dynamic times in the UK water industry,” she added.
Richard Patterson, Procurement and NEC Specialist at Mott MacDonald, commented: “This session provided a really good overview of procurement in the UK water sector, from the legal background to the contracts used and the ways people are developing frameworks, early supplier involvement and alliances.”
Graeme Young, Partner at CMS, agreed. He said that the event provided an “excellent overview of different approaches to procurement in the water sector.”
The procurement event is one of many sessions hosted by British Water, another of which, taking place May 13, will be a debate around the Hydrogen Economy and its potential impact on the UK water industry.
Click here for a full list of British Water’s events.
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