The awards under the AMP8 spending round will see Cappagh deliver a smart meter installation and commissioning programme and infrastructure work for the period 2025 to 2030 with a potential five-year extension.

Both contracts will start next month with Cappagh staff being co-located at Portsmouth Water’s head office, in Havant.

More than 170,000 new smart meters will be installed by 2030 while the infrastructure programme will see Cappagh renew water mains and service pipes, lay new mains and connections and effect network repairs and maintenance and the permanent reinstatement of surfaces.

Matt Guest, CEO at Cappagh said “We are delighted with these important contract awards by Portsmouth Water, which underlines the trust in the capabilities of Cappagh and our people to deliver successfully for Portsmouth Water’s customers.

“We are looking forward to building on the already excellent collaborative relationship and playing our part in delivering the AMP8 business plan.”

Portsmouth Water CEO, Bob Taylor, added:,“Our business plan for the five- year AMP8 period is ambitious. We’re delivering our largest ever investment programme to ensure our customers continue to receive a high-quality, reliable and affordable supply of water, despite the challenges of climate change and population growth.

“These two contracts awarded to Cappagh are a critical part of these plans and we look forward to working closely with them to deliver these vital investments over the coming years.”