Costain has been awarded a significant contract to enhance two Thames Water sewage facilities.
- The contract, exceeding £5 million, involves upgrading sites at Sandhurst and Selborne.
- This initiative is part of a broader programme for sewage treatment improvements, potentially involving up to 25 projects.
- Key upgrades include flow monitoring, improved screening operations, and enhanced storage and pumping systems.
- Completion of the Sandhurst and Selborne projects is expected by 2025.
Costain has secured a substantial design and build contract aimed at upgrading two key Thames Water sewage facilities located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, and Selborne, Hampshire. This contract, valued at over £5 million, marks Costain’s initial involvement in a comprehensive investment programme dedicated to improving sewage treatment works (STWs). As part of this broader initiative, Costain could potentially be allocated up to 25 similar projects over time, illustrating a significant expansion in their role and responsibilities concerning water treatment enhancement.
The investment programme, spearheaded by Thames Water, is focused on incorporating advanced flow monitoring technology to ensure the effective treatment of wastewater prior to its discharge. This development seeks to optimise the existing screening operations at the inlet station while concurrently elevating the capabilities of storage tanks and refining the storm return pumping systems. The overarching goal of these enhancements is to augment the treatment works’ ability to manage increasing volumes of incoming sewage effectively. By doing so, it aims to significantly reduce both the frequency and volume of untreated sewage discharges during periods of wet weather.
The scheduled completion of these projects in Sandhurst and Selborne by 2025 is a strategic move as part of Thames Water’s extensive £1.12 billion investment plan. This plan is focused on ameliorating more than 250 wastewater sites over the coming years, showcasing Thames Water’s commitment to improving regional river health and infrastructure.
Gerard Shore, Costain’s water director, highlights Thames Water’s strategic vision, stating that its plans to upgrade numerous treatment plants will have a transformative impact on the lives of residents and local communities. Shore emphasises Costain’s capability to add substantial value by identifying additional opportunities at the initial design stage, thus maximising efficiencies for the enhanced treatment infrastructure.
Furthermore, Costain’s expanding influence in the water sector is evidenced by its recent appointments, notably joining Northumbrian Water’s AMP8 infrastructure framework. This framework could potentially bring up to £670 million in contracts over the next 12 years. In addition, Costain has extended its managed service provider contract with United Utilities into the AMP8, alongside its consultancy engagements with Yorkshire Water.
Costain’s involvement in upgrading Thames Water’s sewage works underscores its expanding role in the UK’s water infrastructure sector.
