The Deephams works will be rebuilt, and even possibly relocated, to improve water quality in the River Lee by March 2017 to meet European Water quality regulations.

Thames Water will hold a contractors’ day on 20 January in Reading, Berkshire. Further details are available from procurement.support.centre@thameswater.co.uk.

The existing Deephams inlet works, storm tanks and sludge treatment process will remain on the existing site.

Thames Water has appointed planning, design and environmental consultants to evaluate  options for meeting the new consent and establish the preferred option.

Initial development work is due to complete shortly and will be subject to the first phase of public consultation this year. Planning approval is not anticipated before 2014.

Procurement bosses plan to prequalify  4-6 firms for the £270m job before shortlisting two firms to finally tender for a design and build contract to be awarded in early 2013.

The winner will then develop the design in sufficient detail to obtain planning approval and enter into a target cost contract based on the IChemE Burgundy Book form of contract.

PQQs are available from procurement.support.centre@thameswater.co.uk until 16 February.