Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has produced a first of its kind framework that will enable water companies across England and Wales to strengthen drainage and environmental resilience through the production of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs).

The framework, commissioned by Water UK in collaboration with Defra, Welsh Government, Ofwat, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Consumer Council for Water, ADEPT and Blueprint for Water, provides water companies with a basis for more collaborative and integrated long-term planning, working with other organisations that have responsibilities relating to drainage, flooding and protection of the environment.

It will also play a fundamental role in helping to achieve Water UK’s 21st Century Drainage Programme vision, which seeks to ensure the sustainability of drainage infrastructure and the services it provides to customers and the environment.

Until now, with no statutory requirement for water companies to produce long-term drainage and wastewater plans, companies have produced their own plans within broad guidelines, resulting in a range of planning approaches. Whilst not a statutory requirement, the expectation is that companies will adopt the framework, leading to the creation of DWMPs that:

• Provide a clear and consistent planning approach
• Show how their long-term plans (minimum planning period of 25 years) support economic growth and resilient communities, and how they protect and enhance the environment
• Provide a systematic understanding of service and system risks and vulnerability
• Demonstrate a structured and auditable approach to identifying and developing options and presenting a robust best value investment plan
• Facilitate the integration of partnership working and co-creation of solutions
• Facilitate innovation and the development of affordable, sustainable plans
• Provide greater confidence to customers, regulators and stakeholders in strategies identified and resultant plans.

Dr Brian Arkell, water management director for SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business, said:

“The water industry is facing unprecedented future pressures, meaning that it is increasingly difficult to predict and plan. This new framework provides a positive step-change by helping water companies create more affordable, future-proofed, sustainable plans, which will ultimately lead to better outcomes for the economy, society and the environment.”

Atkins has led on a number of initiatives that have shaped the future of the water industry, including the first study to look at the long-term resilience of public water supply, and the creation of wastewater resilience metrics that will be adopted by all water companies in England and Wales in AMP7. Both projects were undertaken for Water UK.

The water and wastewater companies in England and Wales will produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans using the framework by the end of 2022, to support their business plans for the 2024 Price Review.

Canadian-headquartered SNC-Lavalin Group acquired WS Atkins plc on July 3, 2017.

Click here to download A framework for the production of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans