The innovation-driven team established by Scottish Water was recognised for its collaborative and sustainable approach to improving water quality across Scotland
12/04/2025 EDINBURGH, UK TSX, NYSE:STN
The Improving Urban Waters (IUW) team established by Scottish Water—has won in the ‘Sustainability’ category at the Institute of Collaborative Working (ICW) Awards 2025. The partnership—made up of Scottish Water, M2— a joint venture between Stantec and Mott MacDonald—Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA), ARC (Atkins Realis and RPS JV) and Clancy—was commended by the judges for its sustainable approach to boosting water quality in and around Scotland’s built environment.
The ICW Awards, celebrate high performing collaborative teams addressing and overcoming key business challenges, with this year’s ceremony being held at the House of Lords. The Sustainability Award is reserved for the team best able to demonstrate a contribution to long-term sustainable development, including environmental, education, health and safety, and improved welfare.
The IUW team was established by Scottish Water to improve water quality, increase the monitoring and reduction of combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges and reduce sewer related debris in Scotland. The partnership uses integrated working and a ‘one team’ approach to accelerate delivery, lessen environmental impacts, and support positive outcomes for Scottish communities.
The collaboration delivers projects around 50 percent quicker than traditional programmes, providing measurable environmental, financial, and societal benefits in the process. When tasked with planning for the improvement of more than 250 CSOs, the IUW team’s agile approach reduced planning time from four years to just 18 months, making use of standardised designs and off-site manufacturing to further boost efficiency.
“The urgency and complexity of the programmes associated with improving water quality on a national scale cannot be overstated, and neither can the importance of strategic collaboration,” said Scott Jackson, regional business lead for Water, Stantec UK & Ireland.
He continued: “Scottish Water’s award-winning ‘one team’ approach and shared vision continue to deliver meaningful environmental improvements and advance sustainability goals in Scotland. Our teams love seeing their creative, problem-solving skills positively impact the communities around them, and to be recognised for this by the Institute of Collaborative Working is an incredible honour.”
Scottish Water alliance manager, Lynsey Lennon, added: “By working collaboratively with our alliance partner, modellers, designers and survey partners we are delivering projects in around half the time.
“This approach brings great value for our customers, and they are also benefiting from our use of standardised designs and off-site manufacturing of key components. Scottish Water celebrates innovation and recognises it is key to delivering projects that will make a real difference to communities and protect the environment for many years to come.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such dedicated and enthusiastic partners, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to make a positive difference to Scotland and our customers.”
Find out more about Stantec in the UK and its dynamic, fulfilling careers in Water.
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From left to right, Ethan Gillies Denning, Mahesh Iyer (Stantec), Lynsey Lennon and Kieran Downey.