Scottish Water has announced its water and waste water infrastructure alliance partners for the forthcoming Quality & Standards IV (Q & S IV) 2015-21 investment period.

Caledonia Water Alliance, a partnership of Morrison Utility Services and Aecom, will be the water infrastructure alliance partner delivering around £360 million of investment over the six years. It is intended that an early start contract will be in place to assist with the transition from the current programme into the next regulatory period.

There is also an additional potential extension option for a further six years beyond 2021. Commenting on the contract, Douglas Millican, Chief Executive of Scottish Water said the company was building strong relationships with its alliance partners which he believed would last beyond 2021.

The CWA’s scope of work will include programme management, together with the design and construction of works associated with the water network across the whole of Scotland. This includes new assets, renewals, modifications, maintenance and refurbishment of water networks and pumping stations.

The first stage of the Q & S IV programme involved appointing two partners (one for water and one for waste water) to deliver upgrades, maintenance and new infrastructure assets.

BBV Alliance, a partnership of Black and Veatch and Byzak (part of Amey), will be Scottish Water’s waste water infrastructure alliance partner delivering around £340 million of investment over the six years.

An element of the alliances’ programme of work will be self-delivered and the remainder delivered through contract partners.

The alliances are now working with Scottish Water to procure the Tier One suppliers  - the contractors who will work with the alliances - to help deliver the programme.

Geoff Aitkenhead, Scottish Water’s Director of Asset Management, said:

“We had a large number of interested parties keen to work with Scottish Water on our next investment programme. Following a diligent and extensive procurement process the Board of Scottish Water has selected two alliance partners.

“This is the first stage of ensuring we have the right partners, with the right skills, to help us deliver the next stage of our continuing investment which is delivering real benefits to our customers while supporting the economy and jobs in Scotland."

In addition to the Tier One procurement process, Scottish Water is also holding market days in communities across Scotland to identify delivery partners to support the water and waste water alliances and our operations teams.

The rural framework market days will help identify contract partners who can be part of a capital maintenance programme estimated to be around £500 million over the six years. Market days are confirmed for Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Inverness to take place next week. Plans are also in place for market days in Stornoway, Pitlochry, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders for late February and early March.