Northumbrian Water has selected Esh Construction as its sole delivery partner for a new £160 million wastewater repairs and maintenance framework. The eight-year agreement, covering both planned and reactive services, builds on a 25-year relationship between the two organisations.
The framework, valued at up to £20 million annually, will involve 24/7, year-round support across the region’s sewage network. Services will include traditional and trenchless sewer repairs, manhole replacements, and emergency response, with sewer blockage clearance expected to be the most common task.
“This framework is where it all started for Esh and Northumbrian Water – it is the bedrock of our relationship,” said David Pratt, Divisional Director at Esh. “We are proud as a local contractor to employ local people and to procure using a local supply chain.”
Jet Aire, Esh’s primary delivery partner, will support the programme with around 200 personnel. “We’re proud to be partnering with Esh Construction once again to deliver this vital framework for Northumbrian Water,” said David Jarvis, Managing Director at Jet Aire.
Esh plans to expand its regional workforce, adding apprentices, trainees, and graduates to both delivery and commercial teams
Operating from offices in County Durham and Cramlington, Esh plans to expand its regional workforce, adding apprentices, trainees, and graduates to both delivery and commercial teams. The company has also committed £2 million to upgrading its fleet and investing in low-carbon technologies.
“Throughout the framework we will explore further avenues to reduce our carbon footprint by working smarter, utilising innovative methods, materials, processes and trenchless technologies,” Pratt added.
Esh’s involvement builds on its roles in Northumbrian Water’s Ecosystem Framework and the 12-year Living Water Enterprise Framework through its joint venture with Stantec.
Stephen Wilkie, Esh’s Deputy Chief Executive, reflected on the long-term impact of the framework: “I started my journey on this framework as a quantity surveyor more than 25 years ago, and it’s where many of our people – including some of today’s leaders – began their careers.”
Northumbrian Water’s Cheryl Lang said the company’s long-standing collaboration with Esh has helped improve performance across key areas. “We have seen our performance in sewer flooding and pollution reduction as well as customer satisfaction improve year on year and undoubtedly Esh have played a key part in this success.”
