The strategic collaboration between Costain and MWH Treatment is set to enhance water infrastructure for Southern Water, highlighting the ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvement amidst growing demands.
- The CMDP joint venture, comprising Costain and MWH Treatment, has been awarded contracts to execute a £65 million project for Southern Water under the AMP7 programme.
- Key projects include significant upgrades at wastewater treatment sites in Testwood, near Southampton, and Burham, in Kent, reflecting emerging priorities in water management.
- This venture underscores the necessity for strategic investment in water facilities, prompted by environmental and population changes, according to Southern Water director Tim McMahon.
- The partnership aims to deliver innovative solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also enhance efficiencies and add value, as expressed by CMDP programme director Chris Hodgson.
The partnership between Costain and MWH Treatment, known as the CMDP joint venture, has announced its successful bid for a £65 million contract with Southern Water. This ambitious project forms part of Southern Water’s broader asset management plan (AMP7), which aims to optimise infrastructure and is set to continue until the end of 2025. The venture focuses on critical upgrades needed to support growing water demand and manage increasing volumes of wastewater effectively.
The executed contracts entail comprehensive enhancements to key wastewater treatment works located at Testwood, near Southampton, and Burham in Kent. These sites will undergo significant refurbishment, renovation, and expansion to ensure they can accommodate the increasing demands for both drinking water and wastewater treatment.
At Testwood, the enhancements include improvements to abstraction points and pumping stations, alongside the upgrade of flow and filtration systems. Additionally, rapid gravity filtration facilities will receive upgrades, and existing contact reservoir tanks will be repurposed to support further operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Burham site will witness a full refurbishment of the existing low-lift pumping station coupled with upgrades to granular-activated carbon filters across the facility. The project also encompasses vital chemical-dosing system enhancements, alongside efforts to increase the lake’s usable volume that supports the site’s operations.
CMDP programme director Chris Hodgson emphasised the project’s transformative potential, highlighting its importance in ensuring the consistent supply of clean drinking water and enhancing resilience for the future. He stated: ‘Southern Water is upgrading its infrastructure to ensure it continues providing clean drinking water to its customers while improving resilience for the future. This is important work that will have a transformative impact on the lives of residents and local communities.’
Southern Water director of water Tim McMahon underlined the significance of strategic investments in infrastructure, citing environmental changes and population growth as pivotal factors driving such initiatives. He reiterated the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that current and future facilities remain fit-for-purpose, stating the importance of ongoing collaboration with partners like Costain and MWH Treatment.
This collaboration between Costain and MWH Treatment signifies a vital step towards ensuring sustainable water infrastructure development for Southern Water.
