United Utilities has announced a significant new phase in its infrastructure development, naming 18 companies to undertake £2.75 billion of works from 2025 to 2030.
- This development follows the naming of seven major partners for £3 billion in infrastructural activities, including firms such as Kier, Costain, and Murphy.
- New appointments include Barhale, Eric Wright Civil, and United Living for network infrastructure, with other entities enhancing treatment facilities.
- The initiative aims to reduce storm overflow activations and enhance water treatment in the North West, improving service efficiency.
- Jane Simpson highlights a shift towards direct engagement with partners, ensuring greater agility and value for customers.
United Utilities’ recent announcement marks a pivotal moment in its journey towards enhancing water infrastructure in the North West of England. By contracting 18 companies for works worth £2.75 billion over a five-year period, the company demonstrates its commitment to fortifying regional water systems. This initiative builds on the earlier engagement with seven partners on a £3 billion project, involving industry giants like Kier, Costain, and Murphy, tasked with significant infrastructural responsibilities.
The newly appointed contractors, including renowned firms such as Barhale, Eric Wright Civil, and United Living, will focus primarily on network infrastructure. Meanwhile, specialist companies have been selected to address process improvements at various treatment facilities. Notably, Murphy and Mott MacDonald Bentley, previously involved with the £3 billion project, have expanded their roles to include network infrastructure tasks.
A substantial part of this endeavour is aimed at reducing storm overflow activations and upgrading water and wastewater treatment plants across the North West region. This objective is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the water supply, aligning with broader environmental goals and regulatory standards.
Jane Simpson, the capital delivery director at United Utilities, emphasised a strategic shift in the company’s operational approach. For the first time, United Utilities will engage directly with its partners, a move away from traditional large management contractors. As Simpson notes, this strategy is intended to swiftly mobilise resources and deliver optimal value, both in terms of cost and service quality, to customers.
United Utilities’ initiative marks a transformative step in optimising the water infrastructure in the North West, ensuring future resilience and efficiency.
