Safeguarding future water supply

Pooling expertise key to safeguarding future water supply, says Egis as government fast-tracks new reservoirs

Egis in the UK has welcomed the announcement that the government will fast-track decisions about two new reservoirs and plans to change the law so that further reservoir projects are approved more quickly, but has cautioned that the industry’s challenges run deeper and demand wider collaboration.

The infrastructure and engineering business was responding to news that reservoirs in East Anglia and Lincolnshire will be treated as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) and so will be subject to planning approval by ministers, rather than local councils.

Michael Timmins, Director of Water at Egis in the UK, said the approval by OFWAT of 30

‘Major Projects’ to be progressed over the next 10 to 15 years, combined with the effects of climate change, means collaboration is more important than ever.

“The complexity of the challenges facing our water industry cannot be overstated,” said Michael. “Whether it’s the construction of new reservoirs, new sewers, treatment plants or replacing aging pipes, the industry needs to shift towards new ways of working if it is to deliver the infrastructure upgrades that are needed to safeguard our water supply into the 2030s and beyond.

“Developing these new ways of working means drawing on a wider pool of expertise, which is a significant challenge against a background of acute skills shortages. That means the industry needs to look beyond the Tier 1 consultancies and make greater use of SME suppliers and those able to bring insights from successful water infrastructure upgrades overseas.”

The government’s decision to fast-track the approvals process for new reservoirs coincides with the start of the water industry’s Asset Management Period Eight (AMP8), which involves a total investment of £104 billion over the next five years – around twice that seen in the last five years.

Michael added: “There is a lot to do to bring the country’s water infrastructure up to where it needs to be. The government is right to be fast-tracking new reservoirs, but it also needs to ensure that the industry is drawing upon the deepest possible pool of expertise, including that possessed by those with experience of delivering major improvements in similar circumstances in countries like France and Ireland.”