From products to partnerships, as the water sector in England and Wales embarks on an unprecedented scaling of investment, Jason Hemingway, SIG Infrastructure sales director, asks what can be learned from big infrastructure projects in other sectors.

Kier's Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks division has been awarded a £20.9 million AMP8 contract by Severn Trent to design, construct and commission major upgrades at the company's Worcester Sewage Treatment Works.

The massive scale-up of work across the UK’s water and wastewater companies in AMP8 is no secret, but the way projects are delivered will have to change, says Dominic Hurd, managing director, ACWA Services.

NI Water has awarded an ECI (Early Contractor Involvement) contract to progress designs for the much-needed upgrade of three Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) around the North Foreshore area of Belfast Lough to an integrated team comprising local contractor, GRAHAM; civil designer, Stantec and process contractor, MWH Treatment.

NI Water is proposing to carry out an extensive upgrade to Kinnegar Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) within its existing site on the edge of Holywood and is due to submit a planning application for the project later this year.

Water companies are currently facing unprecedented levels of criticism and scrutiny, particularly on issues surrounding wastewater treatment and sewage discharges from storm water overflows. The supply chain has a key role to play in helping them to deliver a sustained and consistent operational performance with partnership and collaboration increasingly seen as the best way forward to achieving their goals.