UK Water Infrastructure
Record investment across the water sector is creating new projects, increased workloads and growing demand for skilled construction workers.
The UK water sector has entered its eighth Asset Management Period, known as AMP8. Running from 2025 to 2030, the programme represents a major period of investment in water infrastructure across England and Wales.
For contractors and the wider construction supply chain, AMP8 presents significant opportunities. It also creates a clear need for early workforce planning as more projects move from preparation into delivery.
AMP8 at a Glance
|
£104bn
Approved Expenditure
|
5 Years
2025 to 2030
|
71%
Increase in Expenditure
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Figures are based on Ofwat’s PR24 final determinations for AMP8.
What is AMP8?
AMP8 is the latest five-year investment period for water companies across England and Wales. It covers improvements to drinking water supplies, wastewater treatment, environmental performance and the resilience of essential infrastructure.
Ofwat has approved expenditure of up to £104 billion between 2025 and 2030. This represents a 71% increase compared with the previous period and creates a substantial pipeline of work for contractors, consultants and specialist suppliers.
AMP8 offers major opportunities for the construction industry, but successful delivery will depend on having enough skilled people available.
Where will the investment be focused?
AMP8 will support a wide range of construction, engineering and infrastructure projects across the water sector.
| Water Infrastructure | Upgrades to water treatment treatment works, pumping stations, reservoirs, pipelines and distribution networks. |
| Wastewater | Investment in wastewater treatment, sewer networks and infrastructure designed to reduce pollution. |
| Environmental Work | Projects focused on improving river quality, reducing storm overflow use and protecting the natural environment. |
| Network Resilience | Long-term improvements designed to strengthen water supplies and prepare networks for population growth and changing weather conditions. |
Growing projects mean growing workforce demand
As AMP8 programmes gather pace, contractors will need the right people available to support delivery.
Construction Enquirer recently reported warnings from water engineering specialist JN Bentley about potential labour shortages and capacity pressures. The contractor highlighted workforce planning and recruitment as important considerations as workloads increase.
Workforce requirements may include:
| ✓ Site management | ✓ Skilled trades and labour |
| ✓ Plant operators | ✓ Civil engineering personnel |
| ✓ Technical professionals | ✓ Commercial and clerical staff |
| ✓ Mechanical and electrical trades | ✓ Temporary project support |
What does AMP8 mean for employers?
The scale of AMP8 means several projects and contractors may compete for similar skills across the same regions. Leaving recruitment until immediately before a project begins risks reducing the available talent pool.
Early planning gives employers more time to identify skills gaps, secure suitable workers and prepare additional support when workloads change.
Employers should consider:
- Forecasting labour requirements before mobilisation
- Identifying specialist and regional skills gaps
- Preparing temporary cover for changing workloads
- Keeping recruitment partners informed about project timelines
- Acting promptly when suitable people become available
How Saxon Chase supports construction employers
Saxon Chase is a family-run construction recruitment business supporting employers across civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities and the wider built environment.
We provide temporary and permanent recruitment support across labour and trades, site management, technical and clerical positions, plant operations and other construction roles.
Preparing for an AMP8 project?
Speak with Saxon Chase about temporary or permanent recruitment support for your current and upcoming construction projects.
Find Staff |
Contact Luke |
Saxon Chase Recruitment Ltd
Call:
01543 886228
Office mobile:
07527 578872
Email:
hello@saxonchase.com
