Southern Water Andover Link Main (ALM) Pipeline Construction & Connection

The Andover Link Main (ALM) scheme is being delivered by Southern Water Services (SWS) under the Major Projects Directorate. The ALM project is part of the WRMP programme and is associated with SWS’s agreement with the EA under Section 20 of the Water Resources Act 1991 put in place following Public Inquiry to reduce our abstraction licenses for public water supply.

Its purpose is to provide environmental protection for the rivers Test and Itchen. The WRMP Programme aims to create greater resilience to water shortages, especially during dry weather and droughts.

Existing abstraction licences for the River Test and River Itchen have been substantially reduced through changes required by the Environment Agency to protect the rivers, both designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the River Itchen as Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Additional licence changes will bring further reductions.

These rivers are key examples of rare chalk stream habitat which support a wide variety of species. The Proposed Scheme will support environmental improvement by increasing the protection of these rivers while addressing the need for secure water supply.

The ALM scheme involves approximately 25km of below-ground pipeline connecting critical infrastructure between Winchester and Andover, alongside upgrades to existing and new booster stations. It aims to deliver a bi-directional transfer capacity of 15Ml/d by March 2030, ensuring both strategic drought resilience and operational reliability for the isolated Andover Water Resource Zone (WRZ).

SWS delivery strategy is to appoint a single Principal Contractor to design and build Andover Link Main, delivery to inclue detailed design and construction package with enabling work to be completed prior to construction. This will also include support to discharge planning conditions and submission of certain environmental consent and permits.

The Principal Contractor will act as a Tier 1 provider and sub-contract specialist elements. Southern Water have developed the scheme proposal to early outline design and are planning to complete this phase of work to enable the design to be realkeased with the ITT, post participation stage. comprising a detailed design and construction package, with enabling work to be completed prior to construction. This will also include support to discharge planning conditions and submission of certain environmental consent and permits.