Contract Spreading for Thames Water

FGS Agri have been working with Thames Water for over 20 years providing a biosolids spreading service. The Company was selected through competitive competition processes to undertake biosolids spreading across the Southern Regions of the Thames Water operating territory. In 2010 we were awarded a multi-year biosolid spreading contract which was renewed in 2023 for another three year term.

Where do we operate?

From our depots in Andover, Hampshire, and Pluckley, Kent we undertake biosolid spreading across the Southern region of the Thames Water operating territory encompassing Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, East & West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

Investment in machinery

FGS Agri have made significant investment in machinery to serve the Thames Water contracts, operating a fleet of four and five wheeled self-propelled spreaders to apply the biosolids to the land. The machines are fitted with low ground pressure tyres to reduce ground compaction. All spreaders are fitted with the latest guidance technology ensuring accurate application is carried out. The spreaders are equipped with 18 to 20-tonne manure spreading bodies that spread up to a width of 24m.

Our fleet of self-propelled spreaders, undertake spreading of the biosolids onto farmers’ fields as an agricultural fertiliser, a recycled alternative to artificial fertilisers. We have additional machinery available to back up peak season demand.

Working with Thames

In addition to fulfilling our contractual planned work requirements, our experienced team are able to respond swiftly and efficiently to any reactive or emergency requests from Thames Water, within the capability of what we can offer.

Good communication between ourselves and Thames Water means we are able to maintain an effective and dynamic working relationship. We also have a good relationship with Thames Water’s principal contractors, providing labour supply, plant and machinery hire and transport services to ensure they meet the peak season demand for the ultimate benefit of Thames Water. Whist our consultative approach ensures the service to farmers is provided in a compliant manner.

We co-ordinate Thames Water’s service requests to ensure tasks are carried out in the most efficient way whilst meeting their customer’s expectations. We also strive to ensure efficiency when planning travel been spreading locations, minimising travel time where possible to reduce our carbon impact.

Compliance

We understand the importance of having the most up to date, efficient and compliant machinery, and machine use is planned so that appropriate machines are used for each spreading area, taking into consideration access roads, size of fields, soil type and conditions.

FGS Agri operates an integrated management system encompassing Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Systems which are audited externally.

We have a bespoke, paperless system which is used for task allocation to remote workers as well as being able to create timely reports and spreading records which Thames Water use to meet their compliance obligations.

Experienced staff and operators

We have a number of experienced, long-term staff who are able to pass their knowledge and skills onto new members of the team. We understand what is important to the Thames Water customers. Being farmers ourselves we engage with the farmer customers at each spreading location to ensure the spreading fits their cultivating requirements.

We engage with industry specialists and make sure we are up to date with relevant standards and are ready to respond to any changes in regulations and law.

Under this service contract, Thames Water undertake the land finding and sales to local farmers whilst transport and stockpiling services are provided through third parties.

Our services

Our services provided under this contract are;

Loading:

We have a fleet of 360 Excavators that are used to load the biosolids. The excavators ensure that field damage/compaction is kept to a minimum. The machines are fitted with sludge buckets enabling efficient loading of the material as well as leaving a tidy stockpile area once finished.

Spreading:

We have a fleet of four and five wheeled machines to undertake the spreading operations. The LGP tyres and the guidance technology enable us to achieve minimal compaction and overlap as well as accurate application to ensure the stringent regulations are adhered to.

Vervaet self-propelled spreading biosolids
Ploeger self-propelled spreading biosolids
Vredo self-propelled spreader being loaded by excavator