Kier has been appointed by Wessex Water to their Capital Delivery Partner Framework for its Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8). The appointment is for an initial term of six years, with the option to extend the agreement for an additional five years.
Projects expected to be awarded via the framework involve the construction of new assets, alongside the refurbishment, modification and maintenance of existing assets, both above and below ground.
They will include bioresource schemes, works on supply and waste networks, capital maintenance projects, water and wastewater processing and environmental monitoring.
The framework comprises several different partners, but Kier is the only partner to have been appointed to three lots, including Lot 1 (design and build), Lot 3 (mechanical and electrical) and Lot 4 (Civils construction).
Wessex Water provides clean water services to 1.4m customers and sewerage services to 2.9m customers across the South West of England, including parts of Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Hampshire.
Across the region, its assets include 35,000km of sewers, 12,000km of water mains, 231 water sources and treatment centres, 310 service reservoirs and towers, 2,200 sewage pumping stations, and 400 water recycling centres. This framework is part of Wessex Water’s business plan 2025-30, which proposes to double their current level of investment to £3.5bn (subject to Ofwat confirmation), helping to reduce pollution, storm overflow operation, and leave more water in the environment to cater for their customer needs over the long term.
The work will be delivered by Kier’s Water business unit, which is part of the Group’s Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks division.
"Kier has a long-standing history of delivering successful projects in the water sector across the South West, and we look forward to enhancing our regional portfolio with the appointment to the Capital Delivery Partner Framework.
We’re looking forward to working collaboratively with our framework partners and alongside Wessex Water as they continue to provide an essential public service, tackle the climate emergency, support communities, and contribute to the growth of the UK economy, through AMP 8 and beyond."
Andy Lingham, managing director, water
"These awards will enable a much wider reach for the delivery, training, development, secondments and apprenticeships across the partnership for a programme that is more than double the size of our AMP7 (2020-25) commitments."
Paul Lewis, Engineering and Delivery Director, Wessex Water
This is the latest appointment for Kier’s water business and further strengthens the company’s position as a leading provider of design, build, maintenance and repair services to the water sector.
Other recent appointments include the Southern Water Services Strategic Development Partnership Framework, the Anglian Water Integrated Maintenance, Repair and Developer Services alliance and a partnership with United Utilities in the North West to support their biggest ever environmental programme.