Framework Provides Opportunity To Enhance Water Supplies And The Environment For Communities Across London And The Thames Valley

Black & Veatch signs five-year contract to deliver Thames Water's Lot B3 Programme

Black & Veatch has been selected to deliver a five-year programme of improvement works that will enhance the security and quality of treated water and wastewater for communities served by Thames Water.

Thames Water appointed Black & Veatch as principal contractor to undertake its Lot B3 Framework, valued at up to £100 million, comprising a major programme of capital improvements to treatment works throughout London and the Thames Valley over the next five years. The framework forms part of Thames Water's £4.9 billion AMP5 investment programme between April 2010 and March 2015.

Commenting on the utility's AMP5 procurement strategy Martin Baggs, Thames Water's chief executive, said: "In our continued drive to be more efficient for our 13 million customers, we've completely changed the way we do our work. Instead of letting numerous small contracts to lots of providers, we're working with leading organisations to deliver the base load of our five-year investment programme."

Black & Veatch Managing Director Tony Collins said: "Our ability to combine our fully integrated design and construction capability means we are in the unique position to undertake this sizeable programme as a single entity rather than engaging with a joint venture partner."

Collins added, "We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with Thames Water for a fourth successive AMP period. We will draw on our knowledge and experience of Thames Water's assets and sites, our relationships with our client and our supply chain partners, and our working practices to deliver the high level of quality and service expected from us by Thames Water and its customers."

The appointment builds on Black & Veatch's 20-year relationship with Thames Water in supporting the water company's need to meet regulatory requirements and fulfil customer expectations with an efficient, high-quality water and wastewater service.

Technical notes:

• Asset Management Plan (AMP) 5 covers a five-year period between 2010 and 2015.
• Thames Water's £4.9 billion AMP5 programme features a wide variety of ambitious projects, which include upgrading London's major sewage treatment works, the continuation of replacing Victorian water mains across London, and flood protection works at treatment plants.
• As part of Thames Water's overall capital programme, Black & Veatch is currently undertaking a £100 million upgrade scheme at Mogden Sewage Treatment Works in West London that will significantly reduce the amount of wastewater discharges into the River Thames.

About Thames Water
Thames Water is the UK's largest water and sewerage company, serving 13.6 million customers across London and the Thames Valley.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With $2.7 billion in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents.

SOURCE: Black & Veatch