Murphy appointed to new United Utilities Partnership

The North West’s water company has proposed a £13.7bn investment programme for 2025-2030 to deliver cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and extra support for customers struggling with bills.

Following a competitive tender process, Murphy is one of the seven which has been added to the specialist framework that will help United Utilities deliver its plans. 

The organisations will come together with United Utilities to form an integrated enterprise delivery organisation to deliver circa £3bn of major infrastructure and non-infrastructure programmes from 2025-2030.  This work would include upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing spills from storm overflows. 

Adrian Savory, Managing Director of Infrastructure at Murphy, said; “Murphy has a long-established working relationship with United Utilities which we are delighted to be further developing.

“Our purpose at Murphy is to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure and we look forward to continuing to serve communities in the Northwest through our active participation in the integrated enterprise delivery organisation.”

This is the first time that United Utilities has engaged partners in this way. It will allow the organisations to make best use of their extensive expertise to work collaboratively and at pace for the benefit of the North West.

Louise Beardmore/Jane Simpson at United Utilities, said: “We’re really excited by our proposals for the next investment period. They will deliver a real step change in our environmental performance and further modernise the water and wastewater infrastructure we have here in the North West. 

“It will be the most ambitious and challenging programme we have ever delivered and that’s why we must be ready to start as soon as our plans are approved. By putting this partnership in place with some of the best design and construction companies in the country, it will allow us to hit the ground running with projects in 2025.”

The partnership has committed to investment in the North West through the supply chain and will look to create a lasting legacy by creating apprenticeship opportunities and jobs for local communities.

As well as helping to deliver cleaner rivers and upgraded infrastructure, United Utilities’ proposed investment would support 30,000 jobs across the North West, including 7,000 new jobs.

Regulator Ofwat will review the proposals and give its draft response by July 2024.  The final plans will be agreed by December 2024.