United Utilities lines up seven partners for record investment plans

United Utilities has named the seven contractors and consultants it will partner with to deliver £3bn-worth of water and wastewater infrastructure over the next five years. 

The company has submitted a £13.7bn investment plan for 2025-2030 to economic regulator Ofwat that it says would deliver cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and improvements to services for customers, communities and the environment. 

The investment would support 30,000 jobs, including 7,000 new jobs within the company and wider supply chain, bringing investment in skills and opportunities to the heart of local communities and contribute £35bn of economic value across the region. 

Following a competitive tender process, those selected to work alongside United Utilities are:

• C2V (a VolkerStevin/Jacobs joint venture)
• Costain
• Jacobs
• Murphy
• Kier Integrated Services
• Mott Macdonald Bentley
• MWH Treatment

The partnership would be responsible for more than £3bn of major infrastructure in the region during the 2025-2030 Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) period. The agreement also offers the potential for a further five-year extension (2030-2035).

Work includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflow activations by delivering the largest spill reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters. 

Jane Simpson, capital delivery director at United Utilities, said: “We’re really excited that we have secured some strong delivery partners to ensure we can deliver on our ambitious plans to transform infrastructure and services in the North West. 

“It will be our most ambitious programme yet and by putting this partnership in place with some of the best design and construction companies in the country, it allows us to get to work quickly and deliver the transformation that we know our customers want to see.”  

Alex Vaughan, CEO of Costain, said he was “delighted” that this new contract win extends Costain’s relationship with United Utilities.

“This work will be transformative for the local economy, increasing prosperity, creating jobs, and developing skills across the region,” he added.

“It also reinforces our commitment to improving infrastructure in the North West of England, where we’re already working to upgrade the region’s transportation and energy networks, generating opportunities for the local supply chain and driving growth.”