AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
Highlights
- Historic Investment in Water Infrastructure: AtkinsRéalis has teamed up with United Utilities on an unprecedented environmental program aimed at cleaning rivers, improving water supply efficiency, and enhancing utility services over the next 11 years, marking the largest initiative of its kind in northwest England in over a century.
- Job Creation and Economic Impact: The program is expected to support 30,000 jobs, including 7,000 new positions, benefiting both United Utilities and its supply chain, thereby bolstering the local economy.
AtkinsRéalis Group (TSX:ATRL), a prominent player in the global engineering and nuclear energy sectors, has announced a significant collaboration with United Utilities (PINK: UUGRY), the largest publicly listed water company in the United Kingdom. This partnership will focus on a comprehensive environmental program with a budget of up to £90 million, aimed at addressing crucial water management challenges in the region over the next 11 years.
As one of the three design and development partners involved in this ambitious initiative, AtkinsRéalis will leverage its extensive expertise to develop sustainable and scalable designs for various projects. These projects will encompass water and wastewater facilities, bioresource management, and rainwater management systems. The overarching goal is to enhance the efficiency of water supply while ensuring the cleanliness and sustainability of local rivers.
This initiative marks a historic investment in the water infrastructure of northwest England, making it the largest environmental program in the region in over a century. United Utilities anticipates that this program will have a substantial positive impact on the local economy, supporting approximately 30,000 jobs, including 7,000 new positions across the water company and its supply chain.
Ian L. Edwards, the president and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, emphasized the pressing challenges faced by the global water market, citing increased demand and the impacts of climate change. “We have a laser-like focus on supporting the sector in order to provide a secure supply of clean drinking water,” Edwards stated. He highlighted that water companies in the U.K. are poised to make record investments in infrastructure and asset management, where AtkinsRéalis can apply its decades of design, engineering, and project management experience.
Richard Robinson, president of AtkinsRéalis for the U.K. and Ireland, added to the discussion, underscoring the importance of the water sector to their business. He expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with United Utilities to design and plan essential new assets necessary for enhancing the network and addressing future challenges. Robinson noted that their teams in northwest England would bring best-in-class design and engineering skills to the program, with a strong focus on improving efficiency and future-proofing new assets.
The partnership aims to introduce innovative digital solutions to expedite the delivery of urgently needed infrastructure, ensuring that the region can meet the evolving demands of its population while safeguarding environmental integrity. As the U.K. continues to grapple with the effects of climate change and increasing water demands, this landmark program represents a crucial step toward building a more resilient and sustainable water management system.
The collaboration between AtkinsRéalis and United Utilities is poised to set a benchmark for future infrastructure initiatives in the water sector, reinforcing the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing complex environmental challenges while simultaneously fostering economic growth and job creation in the region.
