Southern Water has issued a tender notice seeking suppliers to deliver comprehensive sustainable drainage and habitat restoration services, marking a significant investment in environmental sustainability and biodiversity across its catchment areas.

The procurement, with an estimated total value of £1.3bn excluding VAT (£1.56bn including VAT), spans a five-year contract term from 24 June 2026 to 23 June 2031. There is potential for a three-year extension up to 23 June 2034, indicating Southern Water’s long-term commitment to ecological restoration and sustainable water management.

The tender framework is divided into five distinct lots, enabling bidders to submit proposals for any or all specific areas:

Lot 1: Land Management focusses on catchment and nature-based solutions, encompassing land management and pollution control advice, detailed surveys, design, delivery and optioneering. It also mandates community engagement through outreach and education campaigns targeted at schools and stakeholder groups.

Lot 2A: Biodiversity Improvement and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) covers catchment, green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions aimed at biodiversity enhancement. This includes consultancy on BNG metrics and advice, alongside design, delivery, long-term monitoring, and maintenance. Community outreach initiatives form a critical component of this lot.

Lot 2B: Biodiversity Improvement and BNG involves the purchase of BNG units, providing an additional avenue for suppliers specialising in biodiversity offsetting and trading mechanisms.

Lot 3: Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) involves the provision of advice, design, delivery, and optioneering around SuDS and green infrastructure solutions. Like other lots, engagement with the community through educational programmes is integral.

Lot 4: Habitat Restoration targets both terrestrial and river restoration schemes, covering design, assessment, delivery, ongoing management, and optioneering, complemented by community outreach and education efforts.

Lot 5: Environmental Monitoring comprises environmental monitoring and modelling activities, including fieldwork, citizen science initiatives, data sharing, analysis, and comprehensive project reporting.

This framework reflects Southern Water’s ambitious goals to enhance ecological health, reduce pollution, and contribute to biodiversity net gain in line with contemporary environmental regulations and expectations. By incorporating extensive community engagement across all lots, the company is also emphasising education and stakeholder involvement as crucial components of environmental stewardship.

Potential bidders have until 20 February 2026 to submit enquiries, with the final tender submission deadline on 4 March 2026. The award decision is expected by 23 June 2026, setting the stage for contract mobilisation later that year.

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