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. References Construction industry of the United Kingdom Water supply and sanitation in England and Wales Drinking water regulation