Water Industry Ramping Up for AMP7

Over the next 9 months, key civils and design projects will be identified for Thames Water as part of it’s AMP7 spending programme. Having recently had their 5-year business plan for 2020-2025 reviewed, the next step for the utilities company is to get civil engineers and contractors on board to help deliver the next round of projects. With a number of infrastructure projects worth £2.6bn, AMP7 is a fantastic opportunity for quantity surveyors, senior QS, commercial managers, project managers, planners and other construction professionals with water industry experience. 

Ambitious Water Infrastructure Plans for London

The spending plan for AMP7 contains an element of non-infrastructure works worth up to £1.1bn, while the remainder focuses on infrastructure projects (up to £1bn), four lots of civil, mechanical and electrical contracts (estimated up to £300m), and two major projects. The latter comprises of new sewage treatment works at Guildford (£60–70m) and upgrading Mogden sewage treatment works (£80–130m). These plans are increasing demand in London and the South East for quantity surveyors, project managers, planners, and design managers.

A Focus on Maintenance

A large part of Thames Water’s AMP7 plans are focused on infrastructure maintenance. Their business plan has targets to reduce leakage by 15%, which will need to be supported by infrastructure works to find and repair leaking pipes. In addition, with pipes over 70 years old, Thames Water’s network is one of the oldest in the country. The AMP7 spending plan will replace more than 700km of water pipes, including existing lead pipes, helping achieve their target of reducing supply interruptions by 20%. In fact, Thames Water plans to “replumb London” over the next 30 years, creating a modern and world-class water infrastructure network. This is good news for quantity surveyors, project managers and site managers, providing a steady stream of upcoming work into AMP7 and beyond. 

Water Industry Gearing Up Nationwide

Of course, Thames Water isn’t the only water company gearing up for AMP7. In January 2019, Severn Trent, South West Water and United Utilities had their plans approved at the initial review, giving them a head start on finding design consultancies and contractors to help them deliver their AMP7 plans. Severn Trent in the Midlands announced the winners on lots 1 and 2 of their AMP7 civils and design contracts in March 2019. Yorkshire Water also announced the winners of their contract in April 2019 after their plans were reviewed. With 17 water companies all putting forward proposals for new utilities projects and infrastructure funding for the next 5 years, there will be opportunities for quantity surveyors, senior QS, commercial managers, project managers, and planners across the country as AMP7 gets underway.

Keeping Your Finger on the Pulse

The water sector is a busy marketplace. If you’d like to be one of the first to hear about upcoming vacancies in the water or utilities sector, register for our job alerts service. Alternatively, you can send us your CV or browse our current water industry vacancies.

About the Author

Steve Thomas
Construction Recruitment Director, UK & Canada
I am responsible for the Maxim Recruitment office in the UK where our team of recruitment consultants specialise in the recruitment of quantity surveyors, commercial managers, delay, dispute and claims consultants for civil engineering and building contractors and specialist construction consultancies.  I am also responsible for growing our recruitment operation in Canada and the USA where we are increasingly busy.  I have over 20 years’ experience in construction recruitment and enjoy working on both contingency and search/headhunting assignments for our repeat clients.
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