The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has highlighted Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir project as an example of the water sector leading the way on the long-term collaboration required to meet the UK government’s hugely ambitious 10-year infrastructure strategy.
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that will sit beneath the main reservoir embankment
In its flagship State of the Nation 2026 report, ICE highlights collaboration as one of the most urgent areas for improvement in UK infrastructure, especially with £725 billion in projects planned over the next decade.
The report highlights how the delivery model that Portsmouth Water has established, with a strong alliance between client, contractor and the supply chain that is building the reservoir, is one that will need to be copied more widely. This will be needed for the industry to be able to achieve its plans to deliver nine new UK reservoirs in 20 years, as outlined in the UK government’s infrastructure strategy.
Bob Taylor, CEO at Portsmouth Water, said:
“We’re incredibly proud that Havant Thicket Reservoir has been called out as a model for the industry to copy. By building a framework rooted in mutual trust and co-operation between us, Future Water, and our supply chain teams, we’re proving that we can deliver an on a massive scale alongside genuine environmental care.”
The main contractor for the reservoir’s construction is Future Water MJJV Ltd, a joint venture between J T Mackley & Co Ltd and Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK.
Ward & Burke is designing and building the pipelines. Binnies is supplying the panel engineer, in accordance with the Reservoirs Act 1975. AtkinsRéalis has the role of “design guardian”, having carried out the outline design and planning consent application in 2020. Mott MacDonald is providing a panel of experts to deliver independent design and construction reviews.
The first UK reservoir to be built in over 30 years, this environmentally-led project will play a vital role in protecting two globally rare chalk streams in Hampshire, by providing a new, sustainable source of water.
The flagship project will be built and operated by Portsmouth Water and paid for over time by Southern Water’s water supply bills.
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