The comfortable realize has been printed for the White Horse Reservoir in Oxfordshire, which is the primary of 9 new reservoiurs which can be deliberate for the United Kingdom.
Thames Water is main the advance of the brand new reservoir undertaking, in partnership with Affinity Water and Southern Water.
The corporate is now in the hunt for a primary works contractor to design, construct, check and fee the reservoir, which might be located southwest of Abingdon. The proposed reservoir would have capability to carry 150 billion litres of water and provide water throughout Oxfordshire and Wiltshire, thru to Hampshire and London.
The reservoir is anticipated to generate round 1,800 jobs throughout development.
Thames Water plans to publish a building consent order utility to govt later this 12 months. Will have to the undertaking be licensed, water is about to be to be had to be used from 2040.
Thames Water is chargeable for turning in the advance section, growing the industrial fashion for the undertaking and for working the procurement processes to nominate the undertaking’s major works contractor (MWC) and later, the appointment of an infrastructure supplier (IP).
Thames Water is turning in the undertaking underneath the Specified Infrastructure Undertaking Rules (SIPR) that have been established and primary used for the Thames Tideway Tunnel undertaking. Beneath this way a brand new regulated entity, referred to as an IP, will probably be established to finance and ship the undertaking, protecting a undertaking licence granted by way of Ofwat, the water trade regulator. Following the way taken at the Thames Tideway Tunnel undertaking, the MWC and IP contracts are being procured one by one.
Thames Water is web hosting a web-based applicant briefing for contractors on 11th February 2026 in regards to the request to take part degree and the primary works contract alternative. Candidates wishing to wait the briefing should sign up by way of 12 midday on 10th February 2026.
organisations then have till 24th April 2026 to publish a request to take part within the comfortable procedure. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to publish detailed tenders.
For main points see www.find-tender.provider.gov.united kingdom/Realize/005547-2026
Thames Water leader government Chris Weston stated: “The reservoir represents one of the crucial vital investments in water infrastructure the rustic has observed in a long time. As soon as constructed it will be one of the most greatest within the nation, offering water to tens of millions, supporting new properties and building, and growing an exhilarating new vacation spot the place folks can unwind and connect to nature.
“Careers will probably be made and constructed throughout the reservoir’s development with 1000’s of jobs created, supporting households and communities around the southeast.”
Southern Water primary initiatives director Ben Ring added: “White Horse Reservoir is an crucial a part of our plan to stay faucets and rivers flowing in Hampshire. Blended with our Thames to Southern Switch pipeline, it will provide our shoppers with as much as 120 million litres of water an afternoon throughout a drought, which means the same quantity may also be left in Hampshire’s uncommon and delicate chalk flow rivers – the Take a look at and the Itchen.”
Chris Taylor-Dawson, senior director for primary initiatives at Ofwat, stated: “Kick-starting the procurement procedure to choose the primary contractor is a vital milestone within the building of this necessary undertaking – vital for securing our long run water provide within the southeast of England.
“Construction at the good fortune of the Thames Tideway undertaking, the use of a aggressive third-party supply way will spice up resilience within the sector and ship higher worth for purchasers.
“Enticing contractors at an early degree within the building of reservoir will faucet into specialist experience and leading edge answers – all of which will lend a hand decrease prices in the long run.”
Were given a tale? Electronic mail information@theconstructionindex.co.united kingdom
