Suppliers solve AMP problems

The challenge of AMP6 is driving greater collaboration between businesses across the utility and water management sectors, according to Andrew Cullum.

Since the introduction of AMP6 – the latest phase of water asset management requirements – in April 2015, there has been a lot of head-scratching and some frustration from water companies, with their wider supply chain unable to proceed with projects.

It is true that, in some instances, the requirements of the AMP6 framework have sent some projects right back to the drawing board, but this is forcing a number of positive changes in the way stakeholders across the industry work together.

Eighteen months into the latest period, the water companies’ most common approach has been collaborative working to drive cost saving through on-site and operational efficiencies. We have seen only a few project starts so far in AMP6, but early supplier involvement is becoming a standard approach, and the project bank from mid-2016 onwards is looking healthy.

Off-site construction

There has been a definite focus on using off-site construction to reduce time on site, while improving on the high quality that water asset management projects demand. Getting this approach right takes time and adjustment.

Novel products

There has been a renewed focus on improving the range of products used in major projects, driven by the need for longer product design life to meet totex efficiency requirements. There is a growing acknowledgement by the major water companies that new materials and installation techniques can offer greater long-term benefits than traditional materials and construction methods. Design life is now expected to reach beyond the 50-year standard, rising to between 60 and 100 years for some products integral to water infrastructure systems.

Sustainability

The third driving factor is the need to put system sustainability and environmental concerns at the forefront of the design process, not to mention the recognition that the capacity of drainage systems must be increased to cope with storm and flood¬water as climate change brings more inclement weather to the UK.

These three factors are bringing key stakeholders in the supply chain – the water company that has to meet high standards and stricter financial controls, and the engineers, product manufacturers and contractors that all play a role in delivering the project – much closer together to devise project strategies beyond “off the shelf” solutions. Suppliers such as Polypipe are now in the position of problem solver rather than purely a product manufacturer.

For example, larger diameter sewer pipes are now regularly installed at shallow gradients, which historically could hinder the progress of low volume water flows through a pipe system. Polypipe has therefore developed large-diameter thermoplastic-based pipes such as Ridgistorm-XL with pre-installed low-flow channels that can concentrate the water flow during drier periods to maintain self-cleaning velocities.

Our product development in the water sector is based on further development of the specialist component chamber offering, including factory-fixed safety chains, balustrade rails, low-flow channels, flow controls, penstocks and headwalls. This means the contractor has to do less work on site, and the water company receives a quality product that requires less maintenance.