As South East Water's single-source supplier for framework engineering services, AtkinsRéalis will continue to provide engineering, asset planning and project management services to support the delivery of the drinking water company's £1.9 billion AMP8 investment programme.

Following an initial five-year contract signed in 2021,the latest agreement will see AtkinsRéalis continue working with the utility from project definition and asset planning through to design and delivery, helping to accelerate investment and improve outcomes for customers.

Richard Whale, Market Director for Water at AtkinsRéalis, said:

“This extension reflects the strength of our relationship with South East Water and a shared commitment to delivering its long-term investment programme.

"With major investments planned to strengthen water resilience across the South East, we will bring the engineering, asset planning and programme expertise needed to help deliver these critical projects.

"From nationally significant reservoir schemes to new sources of water through desalination, they represent long-term investments that will help secure future water supplies and support the region's growth."

The partnership supports the development and delivery of several major water resource and resilience projects that are critical to securing long-term water supplies across the South East of England, including Broad Oak Water and a second reservoir at Arlington, two nationally significant Strategic Resource Options (SROs) that are being developed to strengthen regional water resilience and help meet future demand.

AtkinsRéalis is also assisting with the early-stage design of a major desalination scheme, which is being explored as part of South East Water's long-term approach to ensuring a reliable and resilient water supply for the region.

Alongside the contract extension, South East Water’s Chief Executive Officer John Halsall and Investment Delivery Director Paul Lonsdale signed a forward thinking Strategic Partnership Charter on Wednesday 19 August with AtkinsRéalis Market Director for Water Richard Whale, to enable the step change required to deliver the increased scale and pace of South East Water’s investment programme.

This strategic charter establishes the cultural code and shared values by which the relationship will rapidly evolve, placing collaboration at its heart and integrating South East Water's experience and knowledge with AtkinsRéalis' cross-industry expertise, capability and capacity.

The renewed commitment facilitates the establishment and delivery of world-class asset management practices, accelerating innovation throughout project definition and delivery to secure a resilient future that provides sustainable value for South East Water and its customers by becoming an industry benchmark for collaborative working.

South East Water Chief Executive Officer John Halsall noted:

"The challenges facing the water sector demand strong collaboration, clear focus and practical delivery.

“By strengthening the way we work together through this new Strategic Partnership Charter, we can bring the right expertise, capacity and experience to help deliver vital projects that improve resilience and provide long-term benefits for customers and communities across the region."