The quartet includes North Midland Construction-owned Nomenca, Cema Clayton Consortium, Eric Wright Group and Damar.

A key element of the contract, spanning five years, will be to ensure that 720 sewage pumping stations that have recently been transferred to Yorkshire Water are brought up the company’s standards.

Paul Robins, asset solutions manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Following a 12 month selection period, we are pleased to announce the four contract partners we will be working with us to deliver this new MEICA capital framework.

“The MEICA framework will provide a fast and efficient delivery route where capital work can go straight into delivery.”

Yorkshire Water plans to invest £3.8bn over the next five years to deliver better quality drinking water, and the Amey Utility Services has already signed a £113m deal for a waste water repair and maintenance contract.