KMI Water, the joint venture between Kier Construction, J Murphy and Sons Limited and Interserve Project Services, has been named as preferred bidder for a major infrastructure project in Preston valued at approximately £114m with United Utilities.
The scheme involves the construction of a 3.5km long, 2.85m internal diameter tunnel 30m below ground to the west of Preston complete with eight tunnel shafts. The tunnel will hold up to 40m litres of storm water to prevent overflows discharging to the River Ribble.
In addition, five sewer overflow shafts of varying depths and diameters will be constructed in the environs of Preston to spill flows into the new Interceptor / Storage tunnel system via connecting micro-tunnels.
A new terminal pumping station 30m diameter and 34m deep will be constructed at Penwortham to lift flows from the tunnel and transport them to the waste water treatment works at Clifton Marsh via twin rising mains. This will require a further tunnel crossing of the River Ribble near the Clifton Marsh Treatment Works.
A storm water screening structure will be constructed adjacent to the Terminal Pumping Station to screen any excess storm flows before discharge into the River Ribble via a new gravity outfall.
The project will require close working liaison with a number of Agencies, Authorities, Regulatory bodies and the general public for successful delivery. The scheme is possibly one of the biggest single infrastructure projects to be constructed in Preston.
The project is expected to be completed in late spring 2012.
Darren Ramsay, KMI+’s Framework Manager commented,
“This contract award is testament to the excellent work that KMI has undertaken in the water industry since our joint venture advent in 2002. This confirms that the KMI proposition is one that has great credence in the design and build arena within the UK’s water sector. I am absolutely delighted to be extending our existing relationship with United Utilities. This project will be a demanding one but I have no doubt that we can rise to the challenges set by this extensive project.”
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.