Northumbrian Water Group has awarded a £75million contract to maintain the quality of tap water in its southern region, where it operates as Essex & Suffolk Water.

The framework agreement to upgrade and improve some of its water treatment assets, which could run for up to 10 years, has gone to Integrated Water Services, from the West Midlands.

It follows other recent partership agreements with Crossglade and Lowman, both based in Essex, T4 Survey, based in Suffolk, and Fastflow Pipeline Services, from the North East.

John McGovern, Northumbrian Water Group’s head of asset delivery, said: “This partnership agreement clearly demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers, who rely on us every day, with an excellent service and to protecting the environment.

“The contract will boost the economy of our region and of the local communities we serve and will also support employment.

“Having long-term framework agreements in place will enable better planning, relationship building and the transfer of in-depth knowledge and skills. As a result of the security that this work brings, those who have won contracts will also be able to further invest in their own businesses, people and systems.”

Steve Suffolk, managing director of Integrated Water Services, said: “We have worked with Northumbrian Water Group for more than 17 years and I am delighted that we are to continue to work together and help them to continue to supply their customers in Essex and Suffolk with excellent quality tap water.

“This type of landmark contract, which will involve upgrading, designing, constructing and commissioning water treatment assets, has a substantial requirement for highly skilled field engineers which we are proud to be able to offer on a long term basis.”

Northumbrian Water Group supplies 2.7m people with water and waste water services in the North East and 1.8m people with water services in Essex and Suffolk.