Severn Trent Water is seeking supply chain input into a preliminary market engagement on a proposed framework for reedbed refurbishment services.

The water company intends to establish a multi-supplier framework agreement for the refurbishment of reedbed assets across its wastewater treatment portfolio.

The framework will support both planned and reactive interventions to restore treatment performance, extend asset life, and contribute to environmental and regulatory objectives.

Severn Trent is now seeking to understand market appetite and capability in advance of finalising the procurement strategy.

Scope of services is expected to include:

• Reedbed refurbishment works, including desludging, media replacement, and replanting
• Associated civil, mechanical, and hydraulic works
• Site-specific technical assessment and development where required to support delivery
• Adaptation of standardised designs to suit site conditions
• Provision of efficient and repeatable delivery solutions across multiple sites
• Optional maintenance and performance optimisation services (subject to confirmation)

Severn Trent will typically provide standardised designs and technical specifications. Suppliers will be expected to adapt the designs where necessary and ensure successful delivery and performance outcomes.

The water company anticipates that approximately 60 reedbeds will require refurbishment within the first two years, with a wider asset base of approximately 700 reedbeds across the portfolio. The framework will support both planned programmes and reactive requirements.

Severn Trent is undertaking the procurement to establish a flexible, multi-supplier framework capable of delivering reedbed refurbishment works at scale across its asset base.

The utility is particularly interested in understanding how suppliers can support efficient, repeatable delivery and consistent performance outcomes.

The scope and structure of the framework may be refined following the market engagement.

Call-off contracts under the framework may be awarded via direct award and/or minicompetition.

Current estimated start and end contract dates are 4 January 2027 to 3 January 2030. Estimated publication date of a formal tender notice is currently 1 September 2026

The initial market engagement period will run until 31st July 2026. However, Severn Trent says early responses are encouraged. 

The Engagement is for information gathering purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to undertake a procurement process. Participation in the exercise is entirely optional and will not be taken into account in any future procurement evaluation process.

Severn Trent said the information gathered will be used to inform its understanding of the market and to support the development of a potential future procurement approach and specification.

The water company is reserving the right to contact respondents to seek clarification or further information in relation to their responses and may invite selected suppliers to participate in follow-up discussions.

Organisations interested in participating are being invited to complete an online questionnaire - click here to access the questionnaire.