The regulated UK water industry is forecast to make record investments in capital equipment, infrastructure and operational activities over the  next five years, according to a recent report by IMS Business Information Services, called "Selling into the UK Water and Wastewater Treatment Industry 2010- Key Drivers and Opportunities"

During the period April 2010 to March 2015, water companies in England and Wales have committed to a £22.1bn capital expenditure, with a further £2.5bn scheduled to be spent in Scotland and £564m in Northern Ireland during the same period.

The industry's next investment cycle, AMP5, will provide some tough challenges for regulated water companies, who are obliged to invest at agreed levels in a range of improvements to water treatment and supply. At the same time, the amount they can charge the customer is strictly regulated by OFWAT, the industry's watchdog - this provides a unique opportunity for state of the art private merchant facilities such as Castleford and Bromborough.