THAMES Water has partnered with two infrastructure and consulting firms as it launches a new framework to provide sustainable water sources.
The water provider has announced that it has selected British firm Arup and engineering firm Binnies in a joint venture to deliver its Strategic Resource Options programme through a £300 million contract.
It forms the establishment of a Technical Partner Framework, which has been established as part of Thames Water’s plans to improve sustainability through 2050.
Arup is a firm of designers and advisors, established in 1946, which works in 140 countries with a focus on sustainable development.
Binnies has been providing water management solutions since 1996.
Between them, they will work with two other suppliers in leading three of Thames Water’s programmes.
This includes the South East Strategic Reservoir Option, which will see a new reservoir established in the Upper Thames Catchment.
They’ll deliver plans to transfer water from the River Severn to the River Thames, either through new pipelines or through the restoration of the Cotswold Canals.
They will also carry out plans to switch from water from the River Thames to recycled water from treatment centres for use in homes in London.
It comes after Thames Water laid out a revised draft of its Water Resources Management Plan, which will govern how it delivers “secure and sustainable” water, including in Reading.
Following a public consultation between December 2023 and March last year, it announced the new reservoir in Oxfordshire, dubbed a South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), with a completion date of 2040.
Proposals also included a new river abstraction on the River Thames close to Teddington Weir, due to be completed in 2033, to combat drought and supported by water recycling, and a commitment to more than halving leakage from both its pipes and customers’ pipes by 2050.
They have also laid out commitments to reducing daily water use to 110 litres per person by 2050, with current water use in the area at around 140 litres per person.
Binnies’ UK managing director, Scott Aitken, said: “The Arup Binnies joint venture is delighted to support Thames Water’s ambitious goals through the Strategic Resource Options.
“Our team offers a strategic, comprehensive and adaptive approach tailored to deliver large infrastructure schemes that leave a lasting legacy for future generations to benefit from.
“With our consortium’s wealth of experience in engineering, environmental stewardship and strategic planning, we are uniquely positioned to realise Thames Water’s ambitions for securing and enhancing water resources in the south east and London region.”
He added: “We are dedicated to fostering positive change and creating a resilient future for the communities served by Thames Water.”
Arup incoming Chair, UK, India, Middle East and Africa region, Paula Walsh remarked “Arup is proud to be a global leader on water solutions, with significant experience in the UK delivering work for Thames Tideway Tunnel, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales among many others.
“We are honoured to be invited to collaboratively support Thames Water’s ambition for more sustainable water solutions.
“The complexity and challenges of these projects is significant, but with our diverse experience we look forward to developing nature-led sustainable designs for these major new pieces of infrastructure.
She explained: “We have all seen first-hand how the climate emergency is causing water shortages in the UK.
“We are proud and ready to act to bring more secure, sustainable and resilient solutions that leave a legacy for future generations.”
