SOUTHERN Water has signed its biggest deal to deliver a programme of environmental improvements across its region.

The £750million contract, signed with 4D - a consortium of United Utilities, Costain and Montgomery Watson Harza - will see more than 250 schemes taking place across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent and Sussex.

The five-year programme will upgrade bathing and river water quality and improve tap water supplies in line with environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate requirements, which are driven by European law.

A major investment of more than £80million will help protect homes from sewer flooding.

Martin Baggs, Southern Water's asset director, said: "The scale of this work is enormous and forms part of a bigger programme of environmental and service improvements we will be carrying out over the next five years.

"In total, this runs to £1.8billion - a sum equivalent to £900 for every property in our region and the largest capital investment in Southern Water's 15-year history." He added: "This programme has also enabled us to supply drinking water, the quality of which rivals the best in Europe."

Graham Keegan, chief operating officer of 4D, said: "We look forward to working in partnership with Southern Water to deliver major water quality and environmental improvements for the benefit of Southern Water's more than 4.4million customers."