WRc Launches Digital CESWI 8, supporting Civil Engineers wherever they are

In October 2023, the water industry announced a record-breaking £96bn investment programme for Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8), which spans from 2025 to 2030. This represented an 88% increase in investment compared to the previous five-year period, highlighting a significant focus on the improvement and development of civil engineering assets, pending Ofwat's approval - expected Dec 2024.

Today, in support of this unprecedented phase of investment and development, WRc is thrilled to release the highly anticipated digital version of the 8th edition of the Civil Engineering Specification for the Water Industry (CESWI 8). This web-based and mobile-friendly version of CESWI 8, alongside the printed version (released Nov 2023), will be indispensable for ensuring that these substantial investments are implemented efficiently and effectively, supporting the industry's push towards modernisation and innovation.

Since its first publication in 1978, CESWI has established itself as the definitive standard for civil engineering contracts awarded by Water Undertakers and Sewerage Undertakers in the UK.

CESWI 8 is a comprehensive, universal and relevant Specification for the UK water industry, and is compatible with most nationally produced Engineering Forms of Contract. The new digital edition is set to play an even more vital role in shaping the future of the water industry.

The CESWI 8 digital version will allow users to:

• view CESWI 8 in an easy-to-use online- and mobile phone-compatible format
• view amendments as soon as they are published (no need to wait for the next printed version)
• navigate easily to any section or heading
• search the document for key words or clauses within each section
• view specific clauses and sections of the document without the need to print the whole document.

“CESWI 8 is the culmination of a great project, working with engineering experts from water companies to understand the latest requirements of the UK water industry. The new digital format means that engineers can access CESWI 8 wherever they are - on site, while travelling, or in the office - without needing to carry around a heavy document. The CESWI 8 project does not finish now with release of the digital version, because we will continue to review clauses to ensure the spec is up-to-date every year. This is your spec, for your projects, so please use it and feedback how it can be improved further.”

- Richard Foster, WRc Head of Water Networks

Purchase CESWI 8:

• The digital version is available here.
• The print version of CESWI 8 is available via WRc’s Knowledge Store here.