Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) has unveiled its latest engineering consultancy services framework for the upcoming asset management period (AMP8), spanning from 2025 to 2030, reports New Civil Engineer. The company has enlisted Arup, AtkinsRéalis, Mott MacDonald, and Stantec for this £160 million (over US$204 million) initiative.
As DCWW’s current capital delivery alliance arrangements conclude with the end of AMP7, the new framework aims to implement a capable owner delivery model. This strategic move will see DCWW's asset planning teams collaborate with the four consultancy partners to identify and execute optimal solutions for delivery by major design and build framework partners.
The appointed consultancies will engage in comprehensive tasks including data gathering, root cause analysis, modelling, solution evaluation, environmental assessments, and feasibility studies. Each contract under this framework is valued at up to £40 million over the five-year period.
DCWW's draft plan for AMP8 includes an unprecedented £3.5 billion investment, targeting an annual project delivery of £300 million to £350 million. Andy Taylor, DCWW’s director of asset planning, highlighted the significance of this investment, stating, "Our proposed business plan for the next five years, subject to Ofwat’s approval, will mark our largest investment yet in enhancing our environment and securing the water supply for our customers."
AtkinsRéalis emphasized its long-standing partnership with DCWW, with framework director Jeremy Salisbury noting, “Our appointment to this new framework builds on two decades of work with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and will enable us to broaden the range of services and expertise we can provide to help DCWW to meet its future goals.
“The water industry faces increased demand on water supply and related services, so it’s crucial to put in place a collaborative, integrated way of working with owners, partners, advisers and suppliers.
“This Capable Owner model will ensure the strategic decisions being made have the best possible outcomes for the future of our planet and its people.”
Richard Risdon, Mott MacDonald’s UK and Europe managing director, said: “Mott MacDonald has a long and well-established track record in the UK water sector, with a heritage stretching back more than 100 years. We have created a specialist team to work closely with DCWW, offering the very best of our digital, environmental and technical capabilities with a clear focus on delivering social outcomes in all we do. We’re looking forward to working with them and other framework partners to deliver this critically important programme of projects.”
Stantec’s regional director for water, Scott Jackson, said: “This framework win is an incredibly exciting opportunity for our current and future colleagues in Wales who are always looking to use their expertise to create positive impacts within their own communities.”
“From nature-based solutions and integrated wetlands to intelligent water networks and partnership working, there’s so much value, knowledge, and best practice we can bring to Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. We’re looking forward to working collaboratively alongside other partners on the framework to identify the most impactful and innovative solutions for the many communities our client serves.”
In a related initiative, DCWW has partnered with Mott MacDonald to significantly reduce its carbon emissions. Aiming for a 90% reduction by 2030, DCWW will utilize Mott MacDonald’s PAS 2080-aligned digital decarbonisation tool, the Moata Carbon Portal, across its capital projects. This platform will aid in low-carbon design and regulatory reporting.
DCWW head of engineering performance Arwel Jones said: “As a company, our services can be regularly impacted by the effects of climate change such as extreme rainfall and prolonged dry weather, which has become more evident in recent years. So we’re proud to support Wales’ efforts to cut carbon and combat climate change. We’re looking forward to working together to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our resilience.”
Mott MacDonald product lead for the Moata Carbon Portal David Orr said: “This collaboration marks an exciting stage in our decarbonisation journey with DCWW. It’s fantastic to see an organisation take such an inclusive approach to support all employees and supply chain members to consider carbon in their work, to the benefit of communities across Wales.”
