We were proud to recently host The King’s Trust alongside representatives from Hampshire Constabulary at Havant Thicket Reservoir for a packed and practical insight into life on a live construction site.

The King’s Trust is a UK charity that supports young people aged 16–30 by helping them build confidence, develop practical skills, and access training and employment opportunities. This work is vital in giving young people the tools, direction, and support they need to build positive, independent futures.

The day began just like any real site day, with a morning briefing, toolbox talk, and a session on RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements), led by our Health & Safety team. It was a great opportunity to show how safety is embedded in everything we do and remains fundamental to every activity on site.

From there, the group took part in a full site tour, experiencing the scale and complexity of the reservoir project firsthand. We also showcased the wide range of plant equipment in use and explored potential career pathways in plant operations, including the importance of CSCS cards and specialist machine tickets.

One of the highlights was concrete cubing, where participants saw how we test material strength, followed by a session with our subcontractor SOCOTEC, who demonstrated testing processes for sand, concrete, and clay.

Throughout the visit, the group discovered the diverse range of careers within construction, from engineering and environmental management to commercial roles, quality assurance, health & safety, and skilled trades. We also highlighted how these roles contribute to the delivery of Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir and the opportunities for progression within the industry.

Following the visit, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said:
“I am grateful to the Future Water team for giving these young people a genuine, hands-on look at what a future in construction can offer. For many, it opened their eyes to real careers they can aspire to, careers that build confidence, skills and stability. Opportunities like this are vital in helping young people choose a positive path, away from crime and towards a more secure future.”

A representative from Hampshire Constabulary also reflected on the day, adding:
“We are very grateful to the site team at Future Water for offering hands-on insight into construction for a group of local young people. The experience of this visit helped our group to see new possibilities for the future in the construction industry and was an important step towards building skills, confidence and ultimately employment opportunities. We were very impressed with the project and the staff and thank them very much for this visit.”

We’re proud to support initiatives like this as part of our commitment to giving back to the communities we work in. Creating opportunities for young people in the local area is important to us, helping them build confidence, develop skills, and access positive pathways into employment.

Experiences like this show the value of collaboration between industry and community partners in shaping the future workforce.

This Easter, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate an egg-ceptional achievement at Future Water, one that reflects not just generosity, but a shared commitment to creating meaningful social value within our local communities.

Thanks to the enthusiasm and kindness of our team and partners, we’ve donated an outstanding 210 Easter eggs to the Munch Community Food Pantry. This remarkable effort highlights what can be achieved when people come together with a common purpose, to give back and truly make a difference.

At its heart, this initiative is about more than just giving. It’s about recognising the challenges faced by many local families during difficult times and taking action to ensure that no one feels left out during key moments of the year. For some, an Easter egg is a small chocolate treat, but for others, it represents inclusion and a true sense of belonging within the community.

By supporting organisations like the Munch Community Food Pantry, we’re helping to reach those who need it most when support is needed most.

We are deeply committed to delivering lasting social value, not only through the construction of the reservoir, but through meaningful community engagement at every stage, before, during, and long after its completion. Initiatives like our Easter donation drive show how even small actions can create a far-reaching impact.

Social value is about leaving a positive legacy. It’s about ensuring that our work today helps to build stronger, more resilient communities for tomorrow. By encouraging collaboration between colleagues, partners, and local organisations, we are fostering a culture of giving that extends far beyond a single project or moment in time.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone at Future Water, Portsmouth Water, and all those who contributed to this fantastic effort. Your generosity and community spirit will help make Easter truly special for so many people.

This is a wonderful example of what we can achieve together, and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum, creating lasting social value and strengthening communities for the future.

Future Water were pleased to recently welcome representatives from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) to the Havant Thicket Reservoir site.

The visit provided an opportunity to share the latest progress on the project and to offer insight into how Portsmouth Water and Future Water are working together to deliver this important piece of regional water infrastructure.

During the tour, the NISTA team heard directly from those leading the project about the purpose of Havant Thicket Reservoir and the benefits it will bring once complete, including supporting the protection of local Chalk streams.

Colleagues from both Portsmouth Water and Future Water highlighted key milestones achieved to date, the scale of construction activity underway, and how teams across the project are collaborating to maintain momentum.

The visit concluded with a constructive and forward‑looking conversation about reservoir development in the UK. The discussion covered shared learning from major projects, opportunities to streamline processes, and ways the wider industry can continue to work together effectively to support the construction of future reservoirs.

The open exchange of views provided valuable insight and reinforced the importance of partnership working in delivering nationally significant infrastructure.

Future Water would like to thank NISTA for visiting the Havant Thicket Reservoir site and for engaging so positively in the discussions. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with partners across the sector as the project progresses.

The Future Water team were proud to take part in the ‘Strong Women, Bright Future Conference’ at Park Community. It was a truly special and inspiring event.

Nearly 300 Year 6 and Year 7 girls attended the conference, learning about the wide range of STEM careers and opportunities available in industries that have traditionally been male-dominated. It was fascinating to hear about the variety of careers and the incredible work being done across the sector.

It was also incredibly encouraging to see how engaged the girls were listening, asking thoughtful questions, and beginning to realise that these careers are not only achievable but realistic, especially when they could speak directly with strong women already working in these roles.

At Future Water, we are passionate about highlighting the many roles within the construction industry and ensuring young people hear directly from those working in it today. We were delighted to bring along representatives from the younger generation, including our Civil Engineer Apprentice, Esther, and Lucy Verrinder, Site Engineer for CECA Next Generation. The girls were able to hear first-hand what it’s like to be a young woman working in construction.

We were also joined by Cristina, a Senior Geotechnical Engineer from Coffey, who sparked lots of interest from the students with the different rocks she brought along to demonstrate the fascinating world of geotechnical engineering.

One question that really stood out from the students was:
“Do you feel that because you are a woman, you get listened to when working in construction?”

Our answer was simple. At Future Water, we are listened to because our voices matter just as much as anyone else’s, and we feel valued and invested in. We can see that the construction industry is changing, but there is still more that can be done. That is why conferences like this are so important for both the construction industry and the wider STEM world.

A highlight of the day was listening to the inspiring keynote speaker, Prof Dr Anusha Shah, who shared her career journey and the experiences that have shaped her path in engineering.

It was an honour to be part of this event, which would not have been possible without Ella Capaldi for coordinating and hosting the conference at Park Community. Many amazing women and organisations also gave up their time to support the day, including Portsmouth Water, Ward and Burke, CETC, and many other incredible women and companies helping to inspire the next generation.

Events like this help show young people what’s possible and inspire the next generation of women in STEM. We look forward to taking part in many more events like this to continue encouraging the next generation into both STEM and the construction industry.

Future Water Celebrates Major Milestone at Havant Thicket Reservoir

Future Water MJJV is proud to announce the successful completion of a major piece of work at Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir, an operation that marks a UK first and demonstrates the incredible teamwork between Future Water and Portsmouth Water.

On 14 January 2026, the project team finished the first stage of the Culvert Cut‑Off Wall, a vital part of making sure the future reservoir holds water safely and securely.

What Is the Culvert Cut‑Off Wall?

To help explain this engineering challenge, imagine the reservoir embankment as a giant bathtub, and the large concrete culvert underneath it as the plug hole that will be used to empty the reservoir when water is needed. For everything to work properly, the join between these two structures must be perfectly sealed, just like the silicone seal you’d use around a bathtub at home.

Creating this seal deep underground, beneath a future reservoir, required an innovative and highly precise solution. Coffey Geotechnics Ltd led the design for a special “Cut‑Off Wall”, which acts as an underground barrier to contain the water.

A UK First Engineering Achievement

To build this barrier, Future Water constructed a 20‑tonne steel sheet pile wall on site. Standing at 9 metres high and 13 metres wide, the wall was lifted into place in one piece using a powerful 100‑tonne crane.

Before the lift, a trench was dug 8 metres deep and filled with a bentonite slurry mix. The steel wall then had to be lowered into this mixture within a tolerance of just 25 millimetres. Achieving this level of accuracy with a structure of that size is a major achievement in itself.

This solution is the first of its kind ever used in the UK, designed to meet the unique ground conditions found at Havant Thicket.

72 Hours of Non Stop Teamwork

Because the slurry starts to harden as soon as it is mixed, the team had to work continuously for over 72 hours. Teams from Future Water rotated through day and night shifts to keep the work moving safely and smoothly.

Their commitment ensured the steel wall could be installed before the slurry cured, a race against time that required planning, teamwork, and exceptional focus.

The slurry will now be left to cure for 28 days. Later this year, the steel wall will be connected to the concrete culvert, and the embankment will be built over the top. This will complete the Culvert Cut‑Off ahead of the main embankment construction in 2026 and 2028.

An environmentally-led project

The completion of the Culvert Cut‑Off Wall is a major step forward for Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir, an environmentally-led project that will play a key role in protecting two internationally renowned chalk streams in Hampshire, the River Test and River Itchen.

This achievement reflects innovation, collaboration, and the shared commitment of everyone involved. Future Water and Portsmouth Water are proud to celebrate this moment as work continues toward delivering the first new reservoir in the region in decades.

“The successful completion of the Culvert Cut-Off marks a critical technical milestone for the Reservoir project. Delivery of this element relied on close collaboration with Keller and Coffey Geotechnical, whose expertise were instrumental in achieving seamless execution. This UK-first solution was specifically developed to suit the site’s ground conditions and provides a robust hydraulic barrier between the culvert and underlain strata, and long-term reservoir performance and enabling the next phase of construction. While the works themselves were completed on site within a matter of days and without hindrance, this efficiency was the direct result of many more hours invested in design development, planning, and preparation, it was a true team effort.”  – Ryan George, Project Manager, Future Water

Visitors to our Havant Thicket Reservoir site were treated to an extraordinary sight recently, a white stag, now affectionately named Casper, roaming near the works. While deer are not uncommon here (we’ve previously seen a stag, does, and even a young fawn), this is the first time we’ve encountered a white deer.

Why is this so special?

White deer are extremely rare in the UK. Their distinctive appearance is usually caused by leucism, a genetic condition that results in reduced pigmentation, or occasionally by albinism. Unlike albino animals, leucistic deer typically have normal eye colour and are perfectly healthy.

Monitoring and Welfare

Our Environmental Team has been monitoring Casper from a distance as a precaution, but we have no concerns about his welfare or his ability to leave the site. He is being left undisturbed to roam freely.

Wildlife at Havant Thicket Reservoir

This sighting highlights the wildlife that continues to flourish around Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir, as we deliver an environmentally led project that secures vital water supplies while creating new habitats and green spaces for the future.

As the 2025 earthworks season draws to a close, we want to reflect on how specialist machinery has played a key role in works progressing at Havant Thicket Reservoir over recent months.  

At the heart of this development is an 86-tonne long-reach excavator, a specialist machine supplied by WM Plant Hire. Carefully selected for its precision and extended reach, the excavator boasts a 25.5-metre boom and a digging depth of over 20 metres, making it ideally suited to shaping the reservoir basin, especially in confined or technically challenging areas.

With main works starting earlier this year, the excavator has played a crucial role in enabling the safe and efficient construction of the Harwich cut-off wall, a critical underground barrier that will span approximately 2.5 kilometres. This structure is designed to retain water within the reservoir and protect the underlying groundwater.

The cut-off wall is being delivered through a highly coordinated effort involving several specialist contractors. With Keller leading the installation, Coffey providing the design and site supervision to confirm 1m embedment into the Reading beds which vary in depth, while WJ Dewatering is also playing a key role in the delivery. Future Water is proud to be enabling and partnering with these experts to bring this vital infrastructure to life. It’s a true example of our ethos: Future Focused Construction, Powered by Partnership.

Ryan George, Project Manager, commented: “This is one of the many important steps in building the reservoir, making sure the basin stays watertight. We’re excited to have Keller, WJ Dewatering, and Coffey on board for this phase of progress. The job is highly technical and challenging, so it calls for the expert skills of the entire team and wider supply chain, strict quality control, and careful oversight every step of the way.”

This marks another step forward in delivering Portsmouth Water’s flagship Havant Thicket Reservoir project, the first major new UK reservoir to be built in over 30 years. As work continues to progress, we’ll keep sharing updates that highlight the innovation, collaboration, and care driving this landmark project.

At Future Water, we’re passionate about helping new talent grow by offering real industry experience and clear career paths. Matt’s story is a great example of how combining practical learning with hands-on work can open the door to exciting and lasting opportunities.

Matt joined Future Water in December 2024 as part of his T-Level in Construction, completing a nine-week placement on a live construction site. From day one, Matt was impressed by the scale of the project, the welcoming environment, and the strong sense of teamwork.

“When I started with FW, I was blown away by everything. The plant, the people, and the environment were absolutely outstanding. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and I quickly made friendships that I looked forward to each day.”

During his placement, Matt had the opportunity to shadow engineers, supervisors, and site managers, gaining insight into day-to-day operations, health and safety practices, and the complex coordination involved in delivering a major project. Despite the long hours and challenging weather conditions, Matt’s enthusiasm and commitment remained unwavering. He also took on practical tasks such as presenting toolbox talks, testing the consistency and workability of concrete, and strand picking, while developing a strong awareness of environmental considerations on site.

“From the moment I stepped onto site, I was made to feel part of the team. The support I received helped me understand the different roles on a project and made me realise this was exactly where I wanted to be.”

Following the few months of work experience, Matt engaged in conversations with colleagues across the business to explore various roles. His interest naturally gravitated towards site supervision and construction management, roles he could envision himself thriving in as his career progressed.

“There were many roles that helped me open my career paths, but site supervisor/construction manager was top of the list because I knew I could see myself doing this in the future.”

Recognising his potential and dedication, Future Water offered Matt an apprenticeship as a Sub Agent, which he gladly accepted. Returning to the company, Matt continues to develop his skills, contribute to key projects, and strengthen his relationships within the team.

“Being offered an apprenticeship was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. I was excited to come back to Future Water, continue building relationships, and work hard on the projects.

Looking ahead, Matt has a clear vision for his career:

“My aim is to become a Project Director. I want to lead my own project, experience the pride of seeing it through from start to finish, and reflect on how far I’ve come.”

When asked what advice he would give to those considering a career in construction:

“If you’re thinking about entering the industry, I’d say go for it 100%. There’s so much construction happening right now, it’s an incredible time to join. You’ll make lifelong friendships, enjoy your work, and no two days will ever be the same.”

At Future Water, we remain dedicated to creating pathways for young people to grow into confident, skilled professionals who will help shape the future of the construction industry.

Interested in starting your own journey with Future Water? Explore our current career and apprenticeship opportunities on our Careers page.

In an industry traditionally dominated by men, Aleksandra is not just holding her own, she’s breaking new ground. She’s not only helping build the UK’s first major new reservoir in over 30 years, but she’s also breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. In fact, women currently make up fewer than 2% of site-based construction roles in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Aleksandra’s career path didn’t begin in construction; in fact, she initially trained in accountancy but quickly found the role repetitive and uninspiring.  It wasn’t until her boyfriend suggested that she contemplate a role as a plant operator, that she considered a career within construction. Motivated by the prospect, Aleksandra researched the qualifications she needed and began working towards her certifications, quickly earning the tickets that now allow her to operate machinery on site.

“I’ve always loved being outdoors,” Aleksandra says.

“As a kid, I was always playing in mud and clay. This doesn’t feel like a job.”

A typical day for Aleksandra  starts with a morning briefing, followed by moving materials across the site. Knowing she’s playing a vital role in building the reservoir keeps her both motivated and energised.

Aleksandra’s enthusiasm never wavers. Her passion for the job continues to drive her forward.

Since joining the Future Water team in April 2025, Aleksandra has gained valuable experience working across multiple areas of the site.

She reflects with pride on the opportunity:

“Once it’s completed, I’ll bring my friends and family here. Showing them that  I helped build something really special.”

But for Aleksandra, it’s more than just a construction job and differs from anywhere else that she has previously worked.

“This is a unique project that’s going to benefit future generations. You can really see the difference your work makes here.”

 As the only female plant operator on site, Aleksandra brings a unique and fresh perspective to her role.

“I love it. You’re really well looked after on this site”

And when it comes to proving herself in a male-dominated environment, Aleksandra says that it is no longer a concern:

“At the beginning, maybe. But not anymore. I don’t feel like I have to prove anything as a woman. I feel like part of the team, I belong here.”

Working as part of the Future Water joint venture, a collaboration between Mackley and Jones Bros. Civil Engineering, Aleksandra  has found a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth.

Aleksandra speaks specifically of Jones Bros. Civil Engineering, describing them as great employers who offer continuous opportunities for growth and development. With access to ongoing training and support, she feels empowered to progress in her career.

“They give you the tools to keep progressing. I’m learning every day.”

When asked where she sees herself in five years, Aleksandra  is clear in her ambitions: she hopes to advance as a plant operator and gain experience operating larger, more complex machinery. She’s also excited to see how far the Havant Thicket Reservoir project will have progressed, knowing she’s played a part in shaping its future.

“This project is only just beginning. I can’t wait to see how it grows  and how I grow with it.”

Whilst discussing what advice she would give to young women thinking about a career in construction, Aleksandra is clear and encouraging:

“Don’t be afraid. There are so many different roles in construction , come and explore what interests you, and just give it a go.”

She explains that her own journey didn’t follow a typical path and that’s part of what makes the industry so accessible.

“There wasn’t a clear route for me. I just gave it a try and realised I loved working with plant and being outdoors.”

“The construction industry needs more women not just to be represented, but to help shape its future. Being the only woman on site is good, but being one of many would be even better”

To find out more about careers within Future Water, check out the careers page.