A number of companies have formed a new delivery vehicle to support one of Scotland's biggest capital investment infrastructure programmes.

Scottish Water forecasts to spend £1 billion a year on thousands of miles of water pipes, sewer networks, treatment works and other assets to ensure they continue to play a vital role in the daily lives of five million people.

The programme of work will help to deliver net zero emissions water and waste water services by 2040 and build capacity in the network to cope with changing weather patterns, deliver excellent quality water, protect the environment and support service excellence for our customers.

Seven companies have been appointed to carry out essential work across key elements of our operational services and the capital investment portfolio. The procurement, which has a maximum value of more than £5 billion over 12 years, is one of the biggest ever carried out in Scotland and will support construction, engineering and employment. There will also be a specific focus on delivering skills and development opportunities for young people.

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The successful companies are:

• Clancy

• Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd (Morrison Construction)

• George Leslie Ltd

• RWGM joint venture

• Ross-shire Engineering

• WGM Engineering & Boulting Ltd joint venture

• Morrison Water Services.

The period of work spans the next six years with a six-year extension option thereafter. Known as Delivery Vehicle 2 (DV2), it will operate as a single entity to maximise collaboration, consistency and integration to help meet net zero emissions targets, efficiency and supply chain support as well as deliver excellence in service for customers and communities.

The range of work covers repair, refurbishment and replacement works, covering mechanical, electrical, engineering, civil engineering, construction and maintenance services.

Mark Dickson, Scottish Water's Director of Capital Investment, said: "This represents a significant milestone in the delivery of our service and investment activity. The companies and joint ventures appointed to carry out this work on behalf of Scottish Water will play a vital role in ensuring customers have the most resilient network which brings them water and removes and treats waste water daily.

"The procurement itself has been a lengthy and rigorous process - the biggest we have ever undertaken. The team at Scottish Water is looking forward to working with our partners to progress our ambitious plans for the next decade and beyond."

Douglas Millican, Scottish Water's Chief Executive, said: "We set out our strategic ambitions for the future of the country's water and waste water services in the face of unprecedented challenges from climate change and aging infrastructure in February 2020.

"Partners will play a critical role in helping us achieve the change needed, on the scale and speed required to meet the dual challenges of providing services the public can rely on and addressing the impact of a changing world climate on our infrastructure."