Ames Crosta history can be traced back to two founder companies, Babcock in 1820 and James Mills & Co. established in 1897 by Matthew Mills.  These founder companies from which Ames Crosta was formed, eventually became part of Biwater Treatment and ultimately MWH Treatment today.

Ames Crosta were industry leaders, producing a wide range of products for sewage purification, including in 1937 the ‘simplex’ sewage purification plant that drove modernisation of environmental standards for wastewater treatment, and for mechanical aeration products used in the activated sludge process, still in use today.

Thomas Hawksley established an engineering and architectural practice in England. He was one of the greatest 19th century water engineers.  Hawksley personally turned on the tap which supplied water under pressure twenty-four hours a day to the streets, courts and alleyways of Nottingham.

Hawksley was the first engineer to apply permanent supply under pressure to the very real problem of supplying a large industrial town.  He gained international recognition and went on to do the same for 30 other cities in the UK.

His firm was a strand of MWH’s engineering community, following acquisitions and amalgamations, from which MWH Treatment has benefited in terms of knowledge and experience.

Established in 1896 William E. Farrer became famous for producing products and systems for sewage purification.  Located in Birmingham his engineering and manufacturing heritage and expertise soon saw his products widely used by all UK Water companies. ‘Farrer Engineering’ is today still a wholly owned and operated subsidiary of MWH Treatment, producing the engineering designs that underpin our offerings.

Harza Engineering established in Chicago.   They were an independent engineering and consulting firm that specialised in the development and use of water, power and land resources. They are the ‘H’ in the MWH Treatment you see today and following acquisition and merger eventually with Montgomery, Watson and Hawksley, they are another strand of our engineering heritage, utilising today the skills developed by Harza many years ago.

J.D & D.M Watson partnership formed for municipal wastewater treatment.  They consulted for many local authorities around the world; advising on and constructing works of water supply, sewerage and sewage purification.

They are the ‘W’ in the MWH Treatment that operates today, following being acquired and merged with Hawksley first, then Montgomery, their integrated process design and build skills and expertise are one of the foundations of our business today.

James M. Montgomery Environmental Engineering Firm was established in California and began construction management services. They are the ‘M’ in the MWH Treatment that operated today, following acquisitions and merging with Watson/Hawksley, their construction experience, was eventually combined with that of Biwater to eventually become a key element in MWH Treatments current offerings.

Biwater Treatment Co Ltd, formed in 1968 by Adrian White, is the key company in MWH Treatment’s history and many of its employees are still part of our business today. Pioneers in the field of water, wastewater and sludge treatment they provided turnkey services, mostly in-house, to all the UK Water Plc’s, as a major supply chain partner.

UK firsts include Eastbourne for Southern Water, underground wastewater treatment plant and Watchgate for United Utilities, micro-flocculation and direct filtration water treatment plant.

Biwater Treatment was acquired by MWH in 2010, to become MWH Treatment, the company you see today.  The combined engineering heritage, products supply, with integrated process design, build and commissioning capabilities, merged with a construction division of MWH, a global organisation, to enhance our UK capabilities and capacity.

Watson Hawksley formed after merger of JD & DM Watson and T&C Hawksley.

Acquisition of Ames Crosta Babcock, sewage and water treatment plant contractors. This brought together two of MWH Treatment’s main roots – Ames Crosta and Biwater.

Merger of James M. Montgomery and Watson Hawksley (MWH).  This combined Montgomery’s specialisation in water and wastewater engineering with Watson Hawksley’s international operations.

Purchase of Man Lee of Hong Kong to form Biwater Man Lee.

Biwater forms a joint venture company with NV Nuon ENW of Holland, named Cascal, to invest in water infrastructure worldwide.

Merger of Montgomery and Watson with Harza Engineering Company, best known for its work in the energy and environmental sectors and hydroelectric power development. MWH Global is then formed.

Acquisition of USA based Advanced Environmental Water Technologies Inc, (AEWT), to form Biwater AEWT, a supplier of advanced membrane systems with one of the largest municipal installed capacities in the world.

MMH acquired Biwater Services Ltd (including Biwater Treatment Co. Ltd) to form MWH Treatment.  This acquisition helped MWH Treatment deliver growth in our UK water sector market share, combining and harnessing the global expertise and knowledge of MWH’s engineering, with the UK’s leading integrated process design, build and commissioning business Biwater.

Acquired by Stantec Inc. and re-branded as Stantec Treatment.

MWH Treatment is relaunched bringing the trusted MWH Treatment brand back to the UK and it’s divestiture from Stantec meant MWHT became it’s own entity.

MWH Treatment celebrates its 200^th Anniversary!  In 2020 MWH Treatment are celebrating with ‘200 Acts of Kindness’, fundraising, through events, giving back proceeds to the communities we serve and live in, strengthening MWH Treatments social responsibilities.

RSK Group Ltd (RSK) announce it strengthened its services in the UK water sector by welcoming leading solution provider, MWH Treatment, to its growing portfolio.