WET News

"Class S bedding is often the default bedding speci cation for buried pipelines, regardless of pipe material, but this could be a costly over speci cation" Stuart Crisp, CPSA. P11 News+ Regulator publishes draft methodology for the next price review, with greater customer service, long-term resilience, a• ordability, and innovation among the key challenges to be met. P4 Onsite: Sampling & monitoring The cost of a robust plan is often deemed a luxury, but companies cannot a• ord not to nance this activity adequately. P8-9 Insight: Water treatment Upgrading an existing AD plant is an ideal opportunity to improve its overall e‡ ciency and ensure every bit of heat and power produced. P12 WET NEWS WATER AND EFFLUENT TREATMENT NEWS Group boosts utilities and infrastructure offering with takeover of family-owned business. Kier snaps up McNicholas AUGUST 2017 Volume 23 • Issue 8 UU pleads guilty in crypto trial "We are excited by the opportunities that joining a larger group gives our teams to expand and grow" Barry McNicholas, McNicholas. P1 K ier, a leading property, residential, construction and services group, has strengthened its positions in the utilities and infrastructure services sectors with the acqui- sition of McNicholas for an un- disclosed sum, although the deal is rumoured to be worth between £15M and £20M to Mc- Nicholas. News of the takeover led to Kier's share price rising almost 2.2% to £12.17. Family-owned McNicholas is an established UK engineering services provider to the UK's multi-utility sectors including telecommunications, gas, power, water, renewable energy and rail. Working across the UK and with headquarters in Elstree, Hertford- shire it employs 1,880 people and has a client base which includes Virgin Media, Network Rail and UK Power Networks. It has a turnover of around £200M Kier operates across a range of sectors including defence, education, health, housing, power, transport and utilities. It employs more than 20,000 people and has a turnover of more than £4bn.Ž This investment in the Kier Group utilities and infrastructure services business will strengthen Kier's position in one of its key sectors and will boost its expertise in infrastructure services. Haydn Mursell, chief executive of Kier, said: "The acquisition of McNicholas builds on Kier's strat- egy to accelerate growth and hold leading positions in its chosen markets. It is a highly comple- mentary addition to our utility services business and enhances our presence in the power, rail and telecoms markets, with its long-standing client relationships. We are delighted that Barry and his team will remain with Kier to continue the growth and develop- ment of the business." Barry McNicholas, chief execu- tive of McNicholas said: "Our business has been servicing the rapidly growing telecommunica- tions industry for over ™ š y years and our expertise and knowledge has given us leading positions in new sectors such as gas, power, rail and civil engi- neering. We are excited by the opportunities that joining a larger group gives our teams to expand and grow. It also pro- vides our clients access to a broader range of capabili- ties. I and the team look forward to join- ing Kier and playing a role in delivering the Vision 2020 strategy." speci cation" U nited Utilities (UU) has pleaded guilty to provid- ing water that was un™ t for human consumption. The charge was brought by the Drink- ing Water Inspectorate (DWI) under the Water Industry Act 1991. Two further charges –Žfailing to disinfect water used for domes- tic purposes, and failing to design and continuously operate an adequate treatment process –Žwere dropped. According to local media reports, prosecuting, Richard Bannell said: "This is in effect the first hearing of the case. I'm glad to say that time has enabled matters to be progressed. This case raises out of 700,000 con- sumers in north Lancashire. We are dealing with the impact on consumers that followed from that event." A spokesperson for the com- pany said it has taken a "full and open role" with the DWI during its investigation. "A full pro- gramme of remedial and repair work has already been imple- mented to safeguard future sup- plies," it added. The company will not make any further comment until aš er Ofwat's Ross to step down O fwat chief executive Cath- ryn Ross has announced she will leave the regula- tor at the end of the year, to take up a senior position in the private sector not connected with the water industry. Ross, who was appointed as Ofwat chief executive in October 2013, has successfully led the regu- lator through a signi™ cant period of change – including the 2014 price review and the opening of the new business retail market. Commenting on her departure, Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox said: "Cathryn has been a transforma- tional leader for Ofwat and the sector. As chief executive, she has created a dynamic and leading- edge regulator, e¨ ective in driving change across the water sector and putting customers ™ rst. We are sorry to see her go and wish her every success in her new role." Ross said: "Aš er four fantastic years, I know I will be leaving Ofwat in good shape. Our regula- tory approach is now well estab- lished and we have a strong team in place. We are ready for a demanding price review, which will deliver more of what matters for customers. "…McNicholas builds on Kier's strategy to accelerate growth and hold leading positions in its chosen markets" Haydn Mursell, Kier Protecting Our Environment With Double Containment From IPS IPS Flow Systems Tel: 0191 521 3111 www.ipsflowsystems.com For further details or a copy of our handbook please contact our sales team. Freephone: 0800 975 7971 Duosafe ® Flex Ideal for chemical dosing. Poly-Flo PE and PP double containment for quick and easy installation. Agrusafe PP, PE and PVDF double containment for critical process applications. Duosafe® PVC-U and PVC-C double containment systems are designed for ease of installation. Need to know Kier is an acquisitive company – it bought May Gurney for £220M-plus in 2013 and Mouchel for £265M two years later The group sold Mouchel Consulting to WSP for £75M last October McNicholas is an engineer- ing services provider to the UK's multi-utility sectors including telecommunications, gas, power, water, renewable energy and rail McNicholas has an annual turnover of around £200M Kier has a turnover of £4bn and employs more than 20,000 people We are delighted that Barry and his team will remain with Kier to continue the growth and develop- ment of the business." Barry McNicholas, chief execu- tive of McNicholas said: "Our business has been servicing the rapidly growing telecommunica- tions industry for over ™ š y years and our expertise and knowledge has given us leading positions in new sectors such as gas, power, rail and civil engi- neering. We are excited by the opportunities that joining a larger group gives our teams to expand and grow. It also pro- vides our clients access to a broader range of capabili- ties. I and the team look forward to join- ing Kier and playing a role in delivering the Vision 2020 strategy." and rail McNicholas has an annual turnover of around £200M Kier has a turnover of £4bn and employs more than 20,000 people

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