Kier has landed its first contract with Southern Water, securing a £15.8 million Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) role on two major wastewater schemes aimed at protecting the environment and supporting future growth.

Awarded under Southern Water's Strategic Delivery Partner Framework for Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8), the contract covers early-stage design and planning for nitrogen reduction works at Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works, near Southampton, and the installation of UV disinfection at Thornham Wastewater Treatment Works, near Havant.

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At Portswood, Kier will develop solutions to meet a tighter nitrogen discharge limit of 9mg/l by 2030 under the Water Industry National Environment Programme. With the site facing significant space constraints, proposals include repurposing existing assets and expanding sludge and tertiary treatment facilities.

In Thornham, the focus is on improving shellfish water quality by 2027 through the installation of a UV disinfection system. Longer-term plans include boosting treatment capacity to accommodate population growth, with options such as converting the plant to an activated sludge process and constructing new facilities south of the current site.

Southern Water said the upgrades will improve resilience, meet regulatory targets, and enhance environmental performance across its network, ensuring continued delivery of safe, high-quality wastewater services.