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United Utilities Appoints 30 Local Firms for £500m Works

North West companies set to deliver key water infrastructure projects.

Author

John Stephenson
December 13, 2024

What happened

United Utilities has appointed 30 firms to deliver over £500m of works for its upcoming eighth asset management period (AMP8), running from 2025 to 2030. These firms are either based in the North West or have operations in the region.

  • 20 civil engineering specialists and 10 mechanical and electrical experts have been selected for the minor works framework, pending regulator Ofwat’s approval of United Utilities’ £13.7bn AMP8 investment plan.

  • Projects will include smaller, county-based initiatives as part of the Better Rivers programme, which aims to improve local water management and storm overflow systems.

Why it matters

United Utilities is prioritising regional growth and sustainability:

  • Local expertise: Partnering with local firms ensures the projects benefit from strong regional knowledge.

  • Community investment: The collaboration includes plans to set up apprenticeships and skills academies to strengthen the local workforce.

“Our plan to leave a legacy in the North West goes beyond developing infrastructure – we also want to grow businesses, harness the skills and knowledge of local people, and provide career opportunities to make the region stronger, greener and healthier.”

Jane Simpson, Capital Delivery Director at United Utilities

By the numbers

The £500m minor works framework is just one part of United Utilities’ AMP8 strategy:

  • 20 local civil firms, such as Story Contracting, Cheetham Hill Construction, and Askam Civil Engineering.

  • 10 mechanical and electrical specialists, including Eric Wright Water, Bethell Construction, and Z-Tech Control Systems.

  • 72 partners total have been named to support AMP8 delivery, spanning detailed design, modelling, and major infrastructure projects.

Zoom in

The projects will focus on:

  • Upgrading water treatment facilities across five counties.

  • Standardising systems for water network efficiency.

  • Exploring innovative storm overflow solutions under the Better Rivers programme.

What’s next

Pending Ofwat’s approval, the projects will commence in 2025. This local-first approach aims to deliver infrastructure improvements while boosting economic growth and sustainability in the region.

Bottom line: United Utilities’ partnership with North West firms reflects its commitment to delivering for local communities, ensuring the AMP8 investment leaves a long-term positive impact.

Winners list

Civil Engineering Partners:

  • Askam Civil Engineering

  • BDB Special Projects

  • Cheetham Hill Construction

  • Cubby Construction

  • GDB Civils & Utilities Ltd

  • Kaberry Construction

  • Mackenzie Construction

  • Morrison Water Services

  • MPH Construction

  • Onsite Central

  • P Casey (Land Reclamation)

  • Pioneer Civil Engineering

  • R H Irving Construction

  • Sapphire Utility Solutions

  • SGC Civil Engineering

  • Story Contracting

  • Terra Solutions

  • Trenchless Solutions

  • VJ Donegan

  • Westshield

Mechanical and Electrical Partners:

  • AFECO

  • Bethell Construction

  • Bridges Electrical

  • CHG Electrical

  • Eric Wright Water

  • Haywood & Jackson

  • RSE Ross-Shire

  • Water Engineering Services Ltd.

  • WH Good

  • Z-Tech Control Systems