Southern Water has awarded a £15.8 million (€18.6m) contract to Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks to deliver major upgrades at two key wastewater treatment works in the South East of the UK.
The investment will focus on Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works in Southampton and Thornham Wastewater Treatment Works, located just over the border in West Sussex. Both projects aim to improve environmental protection, support population growth, and ensure resilient wastewater services for customers.
At Portswood, new technology will be installed to cut nitrogen levels in treated water before it is released back into the environment. Meanwhile, Thornham will see the installation of a modern UV disinfection system designed to further protect the sensitive shellfish waters of Chichester Harbour. The site will also benefit from increased treatment capacity to meet the needs of a growing local population.
Simon Tomlinson, director for capital delivery at Southern Water, said: “Together, these upgrades will help Southern Water continue to deliver safe, high-quality wastewater services for its customers — strengthening resilience, supporting regulatory compliance, and enhancing environmental performance across its network.”
Rob Campbell, operations director – water at Kier, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring our expertise to two important sites that directly impact local communities and the environment. We’re working closely with Southern Water to deliver upgrades that improve resilience, support future growth, and help ensure customers continue to receive safe, high-quality water services for years to come.”
Southern Water awards €18.6m contract to upgrade key wastewater treatment sites
