Scottish Water has launched Delivery Vehicle 4 (DV4), a groundbreaking procurement program valued between £5 billion and £9 billion, aimed at enhancing Scotland's water and wastewater infrastructure from 2027 to 2033.

This initiative marks the most significant investment program in Scottish Water's history, with a focus on financial sustainability, service excellence, and achieving environmental goals beyond net zero.

The procurement process officially began on November 25, 2024, and is expected to conclude by March 2026, with an emphasis on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

Rob Mustard, Director of Capital Investment at Scottish Water, highlighted that the program aims to deliver not only economic growth but also social value to communities.

A new supply chain network will be established to foster collaboration between small and medium enterprises (SMEs), micro-specialists, and main contractors, enhancing project efficiency and inclusivity.

The procurement structure is designed to encourage partnerships, with a single contract notice divided into two parts to facilitate engagement with Scottish Water's expert teams.

The DV4 initiative is projected to create approximately 4,000 jobs and provide opportunities for 1,500 young people across Scotland, significantly boosting local employment.

DV4 will replace the previous Delivery Vehicle 1 (DV1), which has been in operation for 12 years, and will focus on managing high-value and complex construction and engineering projects.

This program signifies a substantial increase from Scottish Water's previous annual spending of around £865 million on goods, services, and works.

The scope of work under DV4 will include the creation of new assets and the renewal and maintenance of existing water and wastewater networks, such as mains rehabilitation and sewerage systems.

The initiative adopts an 'advanced partnering' model, moving away from traditional contracting to a collaborative approach that promotes innovation and value delivery for customers.

Overall, the DV4 program represents a transformative step for Scottish Water, aiming to enhance infrastructure while delivering significant social and economic benefits.