The asset management plan period was introduced as a result of the privatisation of the water industry in England and Wales. The AMP periods are linked to the regular price reviews used by the Water Services Regulation Authority to set the allowable price increase for consumers. AMP periods are five years in duration and begin on 1 April in years ending in 0 or 5; the current period is AMP 6. The price reviews are carried out in the year preceding the start of a new AMP. Water company business plans align with the AMP periods and their investment estimates are used by Ofwat as part of its price review. Ofwat also assesses each companies performance in relation to customer service, capability, water quality and environmental impact in the previous AMP with better performing companies being allowed higher price increases. Water companies use the AMP periods to define the duration of their frameworks with contractors.
Individual AMP periods
The first four asset management plan periods were focused on modernising infrastructure inherited from the public sector to meet strict new European Union limits on acceptable water quality. Funding was targeted on the construction of new facilities and the upgrading of existing assets. In AMP5 there was a shift towards minimising operational costs and making better use of existing assets. The trend was predicted to continue into AMP6 with a reduction in the proportion of expenditure allocated for capital projects. Ofwat also wants companies to become more sustainable in their operations in AMP6 and incorporate longer term thinking into their business plans. The water companies were set a target of saving 370 million litres of water per day from wastage and to reduce the length of time customers were left without supply. It is believed that AMP7 will target environmental improvements, particularly with regards quality of water bodies.
Criticism
The nature of the AMP period model leads to a "boom and bust" cycle of investment repeating every five years. Spending peaks during the central 12–18 months of the period before tailing off. Businesses supplying design and construction services often lose 40% of their staff in the "winding down" phase of the cycle, many of whom do not return to the sector in the next AMP period. This leads to increased costs to the industry.
