Customer Solutions Plus, a Joint Venture between Network Plus and Sapphire Utility Solutions, has successfully been awarded a significant contract with Severn Trent. The new contract will see vital wastewater services delivered throughout Severn Trent’s whole area, to over four million homes and businesses across the Midlands and mid-Wales.

Recognising Severn Trent’s core purpose is ‘to take care of one of life’s essentials’, the JV will make sure this is at the heart of its operation.

With an initial duration of four years and option to extend up to eight years, the long-term contract will support Severn Trent to achieve enhanced service performance, especially related to protecting the environment, through prevention of sewer flooding and pollution.

Customer Solutions Plus was selected because the JV brings high quality wastewater solutions, a strong focus on customer service and new ideas.  Recognising the importance of social value to Severn Trent, the JV will have a community focus; providing local employment opportunities and investing in substantial wastewater skills development and training.

The new contract, called Waste Infra Network Services (WINS) will commence in April 2021 and is valued at approximately £400m over the full eight-year term.

Customer Solutions Plus will deliver a mixture of reactive and proactive activities relating to the wastewater network. These include providing a rapid response to sewer collapses, blockages, internal and external sewer flooding as well as forward looking maintenance of wastewater assets to prevent future risks and issues from arising.

The opportunity will allow Customer Solutions Plus to create a new way of working, utilising their combined strengths and extensive experience in the utilities sector. 

Sapphire Utility Solutions will bring extensive wastewater expertise supported by the latest innovative solutions as well as intelligent network monitoring systems. 

Network Plus will bring a deep understanding of Severn Trent’s organisation, processes and systems in addition to local infrastructure across the Midlands and Wales.

Colin Kelly, Sapphire Utility Solutions Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have been selected, alongside our partner Network Plus, to maintain Severn Trent’s critical wastewater network across their whole area. 

This award is testament to our fresh thinking, collaborative mindset and complementary strengths which will allow us to safely deliver services that delight customers, helping achieve Severn Trent’s purpose to take care of one of life’s essentials.”

Dan Holland, Network Plus Joint CEO, added: “’We recognise that we’ll be delivering absolutely essential wastewater services to Severn Trent customers, we take this role incredibly seriously. We have brought together the very best from both businesses, combining strength and depth of experience as well as bringing new innovations and technologies. 

We pride ourselves on delivering a responsive and agile approach, this culture is vital to providing services of this nature”.

Helen Miles, Capital and Commercial Services Director at Severn Trent said: “Our new operating model is designed to improve the way we work and ensure our service for our customers is the best it can be. 

It means we can be more proactive in preventing issues before they happen whilst also responding as quickly as we can on those occasions when our customers have problems.

We’re looking forward to working with Customer Solutions Plus, we’re sure our customers will be the real beneficiaries of our new partnership.”