Scottish Water taps BT, Accenture to plot digital future

Reinforcing a stated commitment to delivering resilient, secure and customer-focused technology services, Scottish Water has awarded two major strategic digital services contracts to Accenture and BT.

Scottish Water provides water and waste water services to 2.62 million households and 159,219 business premises across Scotland. It delivers 1.51 billion litres of clear, fresh drinking water and removes 1.07 billion litres of wastewater that is treated, recovered and returned to the environment every day.

Furthermore, the company manages more than 64,000 miles of pipes and over 2,000 treatment works we support communities across Scotland. This includes 229 water treatment works; 30,516 miles of water pipes; 1,838 waste water treatment works; and 33,691 miles of sewer pipes.

The utilities firm said that its focus is very much on “delivering an excellent service, providing great value for money”, and reducing the effect its work has on the environment, going beyond net-zero emissions.

The contracts with Accenture and BT are regarded by the utilities firm as enabling it to continue innovating, respond to changing customer needs and support the reliable delivery of essential water and wastewater services.

The appointments a “represent the next stage in Scottish Water’s digital strategy”, building on the progress that the firm has already made in strengthening digital capabilities, improving operational performance and creating what a more agile, secure and resilient technology environment, said Scottish Water.

From a fulfilment perspective, Accenture has been appointed to deliver applications management services, and BT has been awarded the contract for networks and security services. The applications management services contract will focus on enhancing the performance, stability and continuous improvement of Scottish Water’s enterprise applications, enabling greater business agility, improved customer experiences and more efficient operations.

In looking to deliver Scottish Water’s networks and security services, BT is charged with providing resilient connectivity and enhanced cyber security capabilities to support critical business operations and protect essential infrastructure. The partnership will help to ensure secure, reliable and future-ready digital services across the organisation.

The new contracts will start on 1 September 2026. Their initial terms are for four years, with possible extensions of up to a maximum of eight years. The BT networks and security contract is worth up to £130m and the Accenture applications management contract is worth up to £100m, pending due diligence.

Commenting on the contracts and implications for the company, Chris Toop, Scottish Water’s director of Digital and Innovation, said: “These strategic relationships are an important step in our digital journey. By working with Accenture and BT, we are strengthening the technology foundations that support every part of our business. Together, we’ll deliver more resilient, secure and efficient digital services that enable us to better serve our customers, support our colleagues and meet the challenges of the future.”

Gordon McKirdy, utilities lead for Accenture UK and Ireland, added: “This collaboration is about applying technology not just to improve how systems run, but to help safeguard services that communities across Scotland depend on every day.”

Ishbell MacPhail, head of BT Business for Scotland, stated: “With our Glasgow-based team at the heart of this work, we’re proud to support local talent, innovation and long-term capability in Scotland. We’re proud to be working with Scottish Water to help keep essential water services running smoothly for millions of people across Scotland.

“By bringing together BT’s nationwide network, security expertise and local Scottish teams, we’ll help make the services people rely on every day be more resilient, responsive and ready for the future. It’s about using technology to support better, more dependable services for homes, businesses and communities across Scotland.”