AMP8 officially began in April 2025, with clear priorities around leakage reduction, storm overflow management and long-term asset resilience. Eight months in, some contractors, clients and trade associations have expressed concern over early delivery progress. However, Lucion, a technology-led environmental services and surveying specialist, believe the sector has a unique opportunity to start building momentum and set up a strong start for 2026 by focusing on early data, insight and collaboration to reduce risk and enable confident delivery.
Will Vennard, Surveying Business Unit Director at Lucion Surveys Ltd, said: “There’s a lot of discussion in the sector about time and delivery pressures. Our view is that the next four to six months represent a window where teams can regain control and drive forward with the scheme. By prioritising surveys and investigations across assets and site conditions now, projects will be much better positioned to move forward efficiently into the second year of this program.”
From Lucion’s perspective, early and comprehensive intelligence is the foundation of effective AMP8 delivery. Surveys and investigations across concrete structures, drainage networks, ground conditions and asbestos containing materials provide teams with the insight needed to manage risk, design effectively and plan construction with confidence. 3D visualisation of underground assets and integration with existing asset data also further support decision-making, helping reduce delays caused by incomplete records or unforeseen site challenges.
Vennard added: “We’ve seen that programmes which invest in early survey and assessments can make decisions faster, manage constraints proactively, and maintain momentum. When uncertainties are left unresolved, they compound. But with comprehensive insight, teams can regain control and focus on the delivery element of the AMP8 scheme.”
Collaboration is also key. With multiple teams and disciplines involved in AMP8 schemes, early alignment on data, access and site conditions unlocks smoother delivery. Lucion works alongside water companies and contractors to provide consistent, high-quality survey and asset intelligence, creating a single source of truth for projects and helping teams coordinate more effectively to avoid delays.
Looking ahead to 2026, Lucion believes this period of concerns and uncertainty can become a turning point to drive forward confident and efficient AMP8 delivery. By front-loading surveys and investigations, validating asset condition and mapping complex networks, water companies can accelerate planning and construction phases while meeting Ofwat’s performance expectations and mitigating programme risk.
“AMP8 is a long-term programme, but the choices made now will determine how smoothly delivery progresses,” Vennard said. “Understanding what’s underground, inside structures, and across networks gives teams certainty. With that insight, the sector can move forward with confidence, collaboration and clarity, avoiding the risks of falling behind schedule.”
Lucion is already supporting water companies and delivery partners across England and Wales with surveying, ground intelligence and asset insight that helps de-risk programmes and enable efficient delivery throughout AMP8 and beyond.
