The UK’s water and wastewater companies are gearing up for a monumental task in the upcoming Asset Management Plan (AMP) period 2025-30, commonly known as AMP8. Dominic Hurd, Managing Director of ACWA Services, emphasizes that the sheer scale of the work necessitates a shift in how projects are delivered. The UK’s stellar reputation for drinking water quality, as acknowledged by Yale University’s Environmental Performance Index, is not a license to rest on laurels. The Drinking Water Inspectorate’s chief inspector has underscored the need for strategic investment to sustain both the quality and sufficiency of water supplies. This is particularly crucial as regulators expect water companies to prioritize drinking water quality, sufficiency, and resilience against scarcity and drought during AMP8.
The challenge is multifaceted. Population growth and climate change demand new groundwater sources, many of which are in rural areas plagued by nitrate contamination from fertilizers. The Drinking Water Directive sets a maximum nitrate concentration of 50mg/l, driving the need for advanced technologies like ACWA’s Nitreat process. This technology, already successfully installed at 35 sites over two decades, exemplifies how proven solutions can meet stringent quality standards in a compact footprint. The real challenge, however, lies in the execution and planning of upgrades across numerous sites.
Anglian Water, operating in the UK’s agricultural heartland of eastern England, is a step ahead in nitrate removal. Their long-standing collaboration with ACWA has provided invaluable lessons, paving the way for the upscaling required in AMP8. Water companies are now making critical decisions about their preferred nitrate removal approaches, engaging with suppliers on factors like repeatability, supply chain resilience, and procurement. Pre-engineered package plants, such as ACWA’s Nitreat fixed media bed, counter-current ion exchange technology, offer repeatable processes tailored to different flow requirements. This reduces technical customisation, leading to faster, more efficient project delivery.
The efficiency mindset can be extended to entire programs of work. By adopting a batch delivery approach and grouping sites for simultaneous or sequential handover, the advantages of repeatable package plant designs are maximized. This optimizes resource allocation and reduces delays. With two decades of development, ACWA’s Nitreat technology can now be procured and installed as a packaged plant, marking a significant shift from the traditional bespoke approach.
Early engagement between clients, stakeholders, and suppliers is crucial for robust scheme design. Fully fleshed-out designs enhance outcomes for years to come. Procurement should begin as early as possible, with equipment, parts, and materials ordered in bulk. This strategy improves supplier terms, reduces overall costs, mitigates supply chain delays, and ensures smoother, faster delivery. Some equipment and parts, like those used in ACWA’s treatment technologies, are sourced from single suppliers. Preparing for availability and mitigating supply chain challenges, such as those experienced during the pandemic, is essential.
With project delivery anticipated to be twice the usual scale, water companies are advised to procure now, even for projects planned out to 2028 and beyond. Forward planning ensures availability and secures the best prices. Strong communication and regular check-ins enhance stakeholder alignment, further reducing delays. The benefits for water companies are manifold—from ease of implementation to efficiency gains and the standardization of operation and maintenance across all sites.
The efficiencies gained in AMP8 will not only yield immediate rewards but will also set a strong foundation for AMP9 (2030-35), which is likely to involve investment at least as significant as AMP8. This shift in project delivery methodologies could reshape the water sector’s approach to large-scale infrastructure upgrades, emphasizing repeatability, efficiency, and strategic planning. As Dominic Hurd aptly puts it, “The resources required to deliver bespoke equipment to each site, using detailed designs, over 18-month planning periods, are no longer practical or necessary.” This sentiment underscores the need for a more streamlined, efficient, and forward-thinking approach to water infrastructure development. The sector is at a crossroads, and the choices made during AMP8 will undoubtedly shape its trajectory for years to come.
