Portsmouth Water has gone out to tender with two separate contracts for the two main packages for the Havant Thicket Reservoir – the main reservoir and associated pipeline – as well as a framework for future works, with a total value of around £140 million.

The Hampshire-based water supplier is inviting suppliers to tender for work which will see the delivery of the first major new water storage reservoir in the UK since the 1980s.
Procurement for the Havant Thicket Reservoir project is structured in two main works packages:
- Main reservoir and ancillary works
- Main pipeline works.
A framework is being created alongside the pipeline works package to facilitate the delivery of future work.
Havant Thicket Reservoir is being progressed in an innovative collaboration between Portsmouth Water and Southern Water to secure critical water supplies for the South East, an area under serious water stress.
The reservoir will be built on a 160-hectare grassland site owned by Portsmouth Water in Havant, Hampshire. At 1.6km from east to west and 0.8km from north to south, it will hold approximately 8,700 million litres of water, and be able to supply up to 21 million litres of water each day. It will be filled in the winter from surplus water pumped from the Bedhampton springs in Havant.
Bob Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at Portsmouth Water, said:
“Havant Thicket Reservoir is a critical water resources scheme and a unique opportunity for innovative contractors to play a part in safeguarding our region’s water resources and benefitting the natural environment for decades to come.
“We want to hear from companies interested in helping us deliver this project and maximising its potential, particularly those who can bring innovative thinking to the project, positively support our communities through construction and minimse our impact on the environment.
“As a community-focused company, both we and Southern Water want to create opportunities for local employment and skills development through the scheme, leaving a really positive legacy.”
Planning applications for the reservoir and an associated pipeline were submitted to the local planning authorities in late 2020, with decisions on permission expected in Spring 2021.
Portsmouth Water is seeking expressions of interest from potential suppliers, with the reservoir scheduled to be operational by 2029.
Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest is 15 February 2021
Click here to access the tender documentation for the Main reservoir and ancillary works
Click here to access the tender documentation for the Main pipeline works
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