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United Utilities has announced the seven businesses it will work with to deliver part of its proposed £13.7 billion investment in its region over the next five years.
The company says if its PR24 plans are approved by Ofwat, the investment will be the largest in water and wastewater infrastructure in the North West in more than a century.
Following a competitive tender process, those selected to work alongside the water company are C2V, (a VolkerStevin/Jacobs joint venture), Costain, Jacobs, Murphy, Kier Integrated Services, Mott Macdonald Bentley, and MWH Treatment.
This partnership, it added, would be responsible for more than £3 billion of major infrastructure projects in the region including upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflow activations by “delivering the largest spill reduction programme in the UK” which will protect more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters.
United Utilities added that it is “keen to tap into the local supply chain” and that as such, it will be announcing more delivery partners in the coming months.
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, Costain chief executive, added: “We’re delighted that this new contract win extends our relationship with United Utilities and that we can bring our leading strategic expertise to support upgrades of its critical infrastructure. This announcement builds on our growing positions with the leading water companies as they prepare for the vital AMP8 investment period.
“This appointment demonstrates our strong track record for delivering pioneering solutions, the strength of our leading water expertise, as well as our successful reputation for working in effective collaborative enterprises. It also builds on our existing Managed Services Framework with United Utilities, now in its sixth year of operation. Together, we will safeguard the supply of water and deliver committed environmental improvements.”
Following the announcement of the forthcoming general election, Ofwat recently revealed that it will issue its draft determinations on water company business plans for 2025-2030 a month later than planned – on Thursday 11 July.
The regulator is reviewing whether the final determinations, due in December, will also have to be delayed.
Ofwat’s initial response to the PR24 plans had been scheduled for publication on 12 June. However, the announcement of a general election derailed the timeline.
As a non-ministerial government department, Ofwat is covered by pre-election guidelines which advise against significant announcements during an election campaign.
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