Arup Binnies JV selected for Thames Water’s Strategic Resource Options Technical Partner Framework

This framework, with a contract value of £300 million and a term of up to eight years, marks a significant milestone in Thames Water’s commitment to ensuring sustainable water resource management for the future

The SRO programme, essential for addressing the evolving needs of the community and the environment, is guided by a gated process prescribed by the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID), ensuring rigorous adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements throughout the development cycle.

The Arup Binnies joint venture (JV), along with two other suppliers, is poised to lead on three pivotal SRO programmes:

• South East Strategic Reservoir Option – a new reservoir in the Upper Thames catchment to store water abstracted from the river during high flow periods, which would then be released for use during high demand periods.

• Severn to Thames Transfer – the transfer of water from the River Severn to the River Thames, either by means of a new pipeline or the restoration of the Cotswold canals.

• London Water Recycling – water abstracted from the Thames will be replaced with recycled water from treatment works, enabling access to additional resources from the river while maintaining river levels, protecting the riverine habitats.

These projects are characterised by a significantly greater scale and complexity than works within typical water utility capital delivery programmes. The new framework encompasses a comprehensive array of services across dozens of disciplines, including engineering, environment, planning, land, engagement, project management and consultation analysis.