The Thames Water supply chain team are seeking to engage with earthworks contractors regarding a major new South East reservoir.
Thames Water is proposing to build a new reservoir near Abingdon in Oxfordshire known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO). This forms part of Thames Water’s Strategic Resource Options (SRO) portfolio and is part of a national programme of water resource projects aimed at ensuring the resilience of the UK’s water supply.
Developed in conjunction with Southern Water and Affinity Water, SESRO is designed to secure future water supplies for customers of all three companies – a combined 15 million people in the south and east of England and the Thames Valley region.
The project involves the construction of a new bunded reservoir with a capacity of up to 150Mm3 and a surface area of approximately 7km2, situated to the South West of Abingdon in Oxfordshire, and is estimated to cost approximately £2.2 billion in 2022 prices.
Thames Water’s current timeline for the proposed reservoir sees environmental surveys and embankment trials commencing this summer which, alongside the ongoing public consultation, will inform the refinement of the proposed design. Subject to grant of development consent in 2028, Thames Water is aiming for construction to take place between 2029 and 2037.
With circa 45m3 of material to be moved and the construction of embankment structures ranging in height between 15m to 25m, the opportunity for the earthworks market is significant. That’s why the Thames Water team is sharing an earthworks market brief and inviting earthworks contractors to respond to a short online survey to learn more about market capacity, capability and interest in the project.
To provide your views and to register to take part in Thames Water’s future market engagement for SESRO and its wider portfolio of SRO projects, download the market briefing document here and sounding questionnaire here. Thames Water is seeking responses by 30th August.