United Utilities' Meeting & Site Visit

On Monday 14th April United Utilities hosted British Water for an event focused on United Utilities ambitious plan to tackle a record number of Combined Sewer Overflows in AMP8.  The cohort was able to hear directly from Jane Simpson on the scale of the AMP8 programme and encouraging our suppliers to both collaborate and challenge us in ensuring that we can deliver our programme safely, on time and to budget.  Suppliers were also able to hear from leaders around the business with key messages such as;

• United Utilities have committed to cut spills by 60% by 2030
• 40% of AMP8 projects will separate rainwater from the combined sewers
• Their new five-county model has been set up to provide a bespoke, personalised service for customers living in different parts of the North West based on their needs
• Their focus on nature-based solutions to cut carbon and sustainably manage rainwater – that working in partnership across the supply chain can support AMP8 delivery while also maximising environmental and social benefits
• How standardisation and innovation will play a crucial part in ensuring UU can meet its ambition, this echoes UU’s challenge of ensuring pace, price and performance is delivered throughout the programme


The day finished with a visit to a Combined Sewer Overflow Construction Site in Nuttall Park – this was a fascinating way to bring the programme to life and see the size and scale of the task at hand, but also demonstrating how UU is working with our suppliers, and local communities and is already making significant progress in delivery. The site visit was a great opportunity to give context to the earlier talks of the day and encourage conversation of how the supply chain would look to be involved in similar programmes and what new ideas they may be able to bring to United Utilities. 

The site visit builds on UU’s engagement with BW over the past year. With a significant presence at BW events UU has proactively engaged suppliers, and other water companies to foster a spirt of collaboration and to share knowledge and experience.  Jo Harrison represented UU at a water company panel discussing nature based solutions and partnerships at the BW Conference in November, Matt Hemmings represented UU as a keynote speaker at the Data Conference , Rob Drury recently talk on the Better Rivers Programme. Lou Beadmore (CEO) was a key note speaker at the Women in Water conference held by British Water earlier this FY. United Utilities are also active members across our Focus Groups and continually look for new opportunities on how to support the British Water network, with a recent opportunity to host a stall at their All Partner Event which was an onboarding event for AMP8 suppliers, again giving context to the size of the programme. 

Overall, the site visit was a great success to bring together the supply chain of British Water with United Utilities and present an opportunity for engagement to promote collaboration and explore new opportunities.
This site visit helped to encourage suppliers to come to United Utilities who may have not worked with UU before and hear what an exciting AMP we have ahead and how they can be actively involved. 

British Water UK Forum is sponsored by Victaulic.

See our upcoming BW events here.