Yorkshire Water announced it will award contracts to Morrison Utility Services (MUS) and Network Plus under its new Water Services Partnership following a tender process for its clean water network repair and maintenance services contracts.

The contracts start in July and initially last for four years, with a further four-year extension option.

Together, the contracts are worth £553 million over eight years.

Previously, clean water network repairs and maintenance were delivered by one contractor.

Under Yorkshire Water’s new Water Services Partnership, contracts are divided into five lots “in order to drive innovation, competition, customer service and support the water company in meeting efficiency targets.”

Both companies will deliver emergency and “planned reactive work” and metering services for the water company – with MUS covering the east of the region, and Network Plus covering the west.

Network Plus will also deliver developer services work across the whole region.

Yorkshire Water director of water Neil Dewis said: “The new contracts will create a competitive, dynamic, and resilient service that rewards exceptional performance, nurtures innovation, and supports us in delivering against our AMP7 performance commitments.

“The new Water Services Partnership will allow us to improve on many levels.

“In the longer term it will help us to drive more innovation in the industry, and in the shorter term it will allow us to continuously improve service for our customers and for Yorkshire as a whole.”