Yorkshire Water's £80M AMP8 Technical Framework and How Does It Affect Local Infrastructure

Yorkshire Water's £80 million technical framework procures specialist suppliers for its 2025-2030 AMP8 investment programme. This organised list provides experts for engineering, design, and project assurance. The framework supports a larger £8.3 billion investment to upgrade regional infrastructure, including replacing over 1,000 kilometres of water mains.

Ever wondered how massive projects, like upgrading the water supply for an entire region, actually happen? It’s not as simple as just calling a builder. On 15 December 2025, Yorkshire Water announced a huge plan to get all the expert help it needs for its next big wave of improvements.

They're setting up an £80 million technical framework, which is basically a super-organised contact list of specialist companies. This is all for their giant investment programme happening between 2025 and 2030, known as AMP8. The whole point is to make sure they have the best brains on tap to help with everything from engineering design to making sure projects are built to last.

A fresh start for finding experts

Think of it like this. If you were redecorating your entire house, you wouldn't just hire one person to do the plumbing, electrics, painting, and furniture building. You’d find specialists for each job. That's what Yorkshire Water is doing, but on a much, much bigger scale. This new £80 million framework is a modern way to manage all the different suppliers and experts they need for their asset management. Asset management is just a fancy term for looking after all their equipment – the pipes, reservoirs, and treatment centres that get clean water to your tap.

This new setup replaces some older ones, and it’s designed to be more flexible and boost resilience. Resilience is a key word here; it means making sure the water system can handle whatever is thrown at it, whether it's a sudden heatwave or a big storm. By having a pre-approved list of suppliers, they can get projects moving quickly and efficiently, ensuring a smooth delivery of services. The entire investment programme for AMP8 is a whopping £8.3 billion, so having a slick procurement process for technical services is a pretty big deal.

A team of specialists for every single job

So, how does this framework actually work? It’s broken down into different sections, called ‘Lots’, with each one focused on a specific type of job. This multi-supplier approach means they can pick the perfect company for any given task, from small advisory roles to massive, complex engineering design projects. The variety of suppliers ensures they get the best possible expertise.

Here’s a quick look at the main parts of the plan:

• Technical Services (£12.7M): This is for the smaller, everyday jobs. Think of it as the groundwork. It includes things like feasibility studies (checking if an idea is even possible) and detailed design work. The suppliers here will handle shorter contracts and are the go-to experts for essential technical services.
• Technical Assurance (£4M): These are the double-checkers. This part of the framework brings in independent experts to review designs and audit projects. Their job is to provide technical assurance, making sure everything is safe, compliant, and up to standard. It’s like having an inspector look over your homework before you hand it in.
• Design Partner for the tricky stuff (£13.3M): Some projects are incredibly complicated. This is where a specialist design partner comes in. They handle the big, knotty design services from beginning to end, ensuring the delivery of major parts of the AMP8 plan goes off without a hitch.
• The Strategic Design Superstar (£50M): This is the biggest piece of the pie. Yorkshire Water is looking for a long-term strategic design partner. This company will work closely with them to boost their own design skills, bring in cutting-edge digital engineering (using tech to create better designs), and help with strategic design for future projects beyond 2030.

How the hiring process actually works

Getting picked for one of these contracts isn’t just about being on the list. The procurement process is designed to be fair and transparent. For some jobs, Yorkshire Water can award call-off contracts directly to a supplier on the framework. This is quick and efficient for straightforward tasks.

But for more complex needs, they’ll run mini-competitions. This means they’ll ask a few of the pre-approved suppliers to pitch their ideas and prices for a specific project. It’s a bit like a mini-tender process just for those on the framework. This ensures they get the best possible value and the most suitable team for the job, from infrastructure works to complex strategic design. All of this is managed by strict contractual terms to make sure everyone knows what’s expected. This structured approach to expenditure helps manage the enormous budget effectively.

What this means for everyone in Yorkshire

At the end of the day, this £80 million framework is about more than just contracts and suppliers. It’s the engine that will drive Yorkshire Water’s largest-ever environmental investment. The total expenditure of £8.3 billion during AMP8 is set to make a real difference. This isn’t just about maintaining the status quo; it’s about a significant upgrade.

What kind of things are on the to-do list? The environmental investment includes refurbishing five reservoirs and, get this, replacing over 1,000 kilometres of water mains. That’s like laying a new pipe from Leeds to the south of France. These are massive infrastructure works that will improve water quality, reduce leaks, and protect the local environment for years to come. The whole set of contracts is scheduled to kick off on 1 July 2026 and will run until 30 June 2030, with a possible two-year extension until 30 June 2032. It’s a long-term plan for a better, more reliable water future in the region, all powered by a smart and efficient approach to finding the best technical experts out there.