Kier Group PlcLSE: KIE

Kier appointed to £8.7m Early Contractor Involvement phase of flagship Thames Water upgrade

· Issued by Kier Group Plc
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Kier has been appointed by Thames Water to carry out the Early Contractor Involvement phase of a flagship AMP8 upgrade at Maple Lodge Sewage Treatment Works.

The ECI phase is valued at £8.7m and will support the development of a scheme with an initial target cost of more than £265m.

The award marks the first stage of Kier's largest wastewater project to date and will see the business support the development of one of Thames Water's major wastewater investment schemes for AMP8.

Kier is now on site carrying out ECI activity, working closely with Thames Water and its design and supply chain partners to develop the scheme, manage risk and plan delivery around the continued operation of the existing sewage treatment works.

The upgrade will increase treatment capacity at Maple Lodge and provide additional storm storage, helping the site respond to future demand while supporting improvements to water quality, resilience and environmental performance.

The scheme supports the wider direction of the UK's water investment programme, including the Government's focus on improving water quality, reducing pressure on storm overflow systems and strengthening the resilience of critical wastewater infrastructure. It also aligns with the requirements placed on the sector through the Environment Act 2021 and the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.

The scope includes upgrades to storm storage, inlet works, screening, primary settlement and biological treatment, alongside new final settlement tanks, tertiary treatment and improvements to electrical, control and monitoring systems.

Works will be planned and delivered while the site remains fully operational.

Andy Lingham, managing director for water at Kier, said:

Maple Lodge is a flagship AMP8 scheme and an important example of the type of complex infrastructure programme now underway across the sector. Early involvement allows us to work closely with Thames Water to develop the design, manage risk and plan delivery around a live operational site, while keeping long-term outcomes for customers and the environment at the centre of the work. This award also reflects Kier's role as a trusted programme delivery partner in the water sector. Across AMP8, clients are looking for partners who can bring together design, engineering, construction, MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation) and programme delivery capability to support major investment in critical infrastructure.

Mark Morrison, Senior Project Manager at Thames Water, said:

The upgrade at Maple Lodge Sewage Treatment Works is a significant investment for our wastewater infrastructure and will help ensure the site can continue to serve a growing population while meeting future environmental requirements. By bringing Kier into the project at an early stage, we can draw on its engineering and delivery expertise to help shape the design, manage risk and develop the most efficient approach to construction while maintaining the safe and reliable operation of this vital asset. In turn, this will help us deliver long-term benefits for our customers, local communities and the environment, while improving the resilience and performance of the site for years to come.

The award builds on Kier's relationship with Thames Water, which has continued since AMP6 through major schemes including the Deephams Sewage Treatment Works upgrade, the £66m upgrade of Mogden Sewage Treatment Works and the £45m Faringdon to Blunsdon pipeline.

Kier also secured places on Thames Water's AMP7 Capital Programmes Framework and is now supporting the business through AMP8, including ECI activity at Harpenden and projects being delivered through the Water Asset Assurance Programme.

Across the UK, Kier supports nine major water companies, delivering water and wastewater infrastructure through long-term frameworks, alliances and enterprise delivery models.

Learn more about how Kier is delivering projects and outcomes in this sector:

Water