Severn Trent has kicked off early market engagement for its £200m Minworth water pipeline project making up the northern part of the ambitious Midlands-to-South East water link hits engagement stage

The company is calling for suppliers to sign up for a series of “deep dive” sessions offering a first look at how the Northern Section of the national water transfer scheme will be delivered.

Sessions will cover delivery models, procurement, programme timelines and early contractor involvement.

The Grand Union Canal Transfer is a joint venture between Severn Trent, Affinity Water and the Canal & River Trust to move water from the Midlands to the South East as pressure grows on national supplies.

The Minworth Strategic Resource Option will see a new advanced water treatment plant built at the existing Minworth site.

Highly-0treated recycled water will by pumped through an new 10km underground pipeline to the Coventry Canal at Atherstone.

From there the water will flow though the canal network towards Luton for final treatment.

Severn Trent said the project aims to get ahead of long-term supply risks driven by population growth, climate change and the need to protect fragile ecosystems.

A contract is expected to be awarded at the end of 2028 for the two year project.

Suppliers must register via SAP Ariba before the 28 November deadline.