Northumbrian Water announces largest ever package of framework agreements

Seven new key partners have been brought in to underpin delivery of Northumbrian Water’s AMP8 investment and beyond across its operating areas in the North-east, Essex and Suffolk.

The new partners will provide design and construction services within the water company’s frameworks, joining the five companies appointed at the start of 2023, as the company builds towards its £3.6bn AMP8 workload.

Together with Northumbrian Water, the 12 partners form the Living Water Enterprise (LWE), which lies at the heart of the company’s plan for transformational investment and change.

The LWE is an industry-leading collaborative partnership, the innovative vehicle developed to deliver large scale construction programmes in AMP8 and beyond.

The seven new partners are Esh-Stantec, Avove Limited, Farrans Construction, Costain, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB), BAM Nuttall and MWH Treatment.

While positions have been awarded on specific frameworks focusing on treatment and infrastructure, the flexible nature of the LWE means the partners will be available to work across the complete programme. 

This will ensure the best resources are used for each project.

The awards are for up to a 12-year period, starting immediately.

In February 2023, the water company made the first five appointments: new technical partners, Stantec and Jacobs, as well as lead commercial consultants Turner & Townsend, with support from Aqua Consultants and Long O’Donnell Associates. 

This followed a competitive tender process to create eight-year frameworks.

The LWE will play a key role in delivering Northumbrian Water’s upcoming business plan commitments effectively and efficiently. 

This will consider the complete life cycle of assets to ensure smarter spending and risk-based planning for the long-term.

Alongside this total expenditure (TOTEX) approach, the group will challenge existing methods and investment choices, allowing for a greater focus on alternative options, including the potential to reduce carbon through nature-based solutions to water and wastewater treatment.

Monisha Gower, assets director at Northumbrian Water Group, said: “The market has never been so competitive, when it comes to adding the best partners and people to our team in the run-up to AMP8. 

“We have had to be agile and move fast, employing innovation throughout our procurement practices, and it has paid off, building our new stable of partners and creating the capacity we need for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“Already this year, we have worked with those previously-appointed partners to start the important work of creating a strong culture, centred around collaboration, innovation, safety and wellbeing, all with a clear focus on solutions that work for customers and the environment.

“We have brought on board some of the most capable and innovative partners in our sector, each of whom will bring their energy and passion with them for the journey ahead. 

“These partnerships aren’t just going to build more resilient services for our customers, they will build reputations and careers along the way.

“The level of integration that we will build with all of our partners requires a lot of work, and we are excited to get started.”