ESG, the UK’s leading provider of testing, inspection and compliance services, has been awarded a contract to carry out ground investigation and associated services by Scottish Water potentially worth up to £24 million.

The contract, worth £12 million, will run for an initial period of six years until 2021. Also included in the contract are six one-year extension options that could see the agreement last 12 years, to end in April 2027, meaning a potential total value of £24 million. The contract is part of SR15, Scottish Water’s £3.5 billion, six-year investment programme.

Under the terms of the contract, ESG will deliver integrated on-site and laboratory services to provide Scottish Water with a consolidated ground investigation offering. ESG will also supply all plant and equipment to complete on-site physical investigations and operations.

Investigations are planned to take place at over 1,000 sites in Scotland during the initial contract period. Up to 18 employees will be required to fulfil new positons created by the contract win, including seven technical apprenticeships and two graduate placements.

ESG will work with Scottish Water under the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) framework. ECI allows contractors to become involved in infrastructure projects from an early stage, to input directly into planning as well as the completion of work.

Emma Drysdale, Procurement Specialist, Scottish Water said:  

“Through the procurement process, ESG proved to be successful in gaining the status of ‘Main Contractor’ for SR15 Ground Investigations. We look forward to working with ESG to deliver the value that has been proposed and to access the innovations and new technologies that have been developed.”

ESG has provided geotechnical services to Scottish Water on numerous projects for over a decade. ESG will work with three alliance partners to deliver on the project: Amey and Black & Veatch, the wastewater infrastructure alliance; Caledonia Water Alliance, a joint venture of Morrison Utility Services and AECOM, the water infrastructure alliance; and ESD, a joint venture of Galliford Try, MWH Treatment and Black & Veatch, the non-infrastructure alliance.

Jim Murphy, managing director, Infrastructure Services, ESG, said:

“Providing an integrated service offering is a key focus for ESG and securing this contract is testament to this strategy. ESG possesses a wide range of expertise and we always seek to collaborate with partners at an early stage.

“Scottish Water’s commitment to long-term infrastructure investment will ensure its network meets service requirements for many years to come. We also look forward to working with the other partners as part of the wider investment programme.”