AMK joint venture was up against the Tamesis group of Laing O’Rourke/Imtech for the Deephams job during a competitive early contractor involvement process to drive down costs.

Assessment in this phase included a behavioural review of the two contractor teams, both at organisational and project team level.

The second phase, starting now, will see Thames Water and AMK working together to implement the preferred solution.

AMK will start work immediately, and a full planning application is expected to be submitted in summer 2014.

The Deephams sewage treatment works upgrade is needed to meet tighter environmental standards, improving the water quality of London’s River Lee and reducing odour.

Lawrence Gosden, Thames Water’s asset director, said: “We believe our ECI process has resulted in the best possible solution for the upgrade, and after close competition between two very high calibre bidders we’re very pleased to announce the appointment of AMK.”

Jo Streeten, AMK project director said: “Upgrading Deephams presents a number of interesting challenges, not least the need to construct new treatment facilities on a site with limited space, while maintaining the current operation.

“Working within Thames Water’s ECI process has allowed us to understand these challenges early-on and develop a solution that meets them in the most efficient way.”