REG - United Utilities Grp - Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme Update

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RNS Number : 1656W  United Utilities Group PLC  21 August 2025

21 August 2025

 

United Utilities Group PLC

Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) update

 

United Utilities has signed a landmark agreement to refurbish the crucial
Haweswater aqueduct, that carries water from Cumbria to 2.5 million customers
in Greater Manchester and Lancashire - or nearly 5 per of England's
population.

 

The original 110km pipeline - which is approaching its 70th birthday - was a
major feat of engineering when it was originally built. It uses gravity to
carry 570 million litres of water every day to customers and businesses across
Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, that's nearly 250 Olympic-sized
swimming pools.

 

As part of the programme to upgrade and improve the region's strategic water
network, this new contract paves the way for one of the largest water
infrastructure programmes across the UK, creating hundreds of jobs in the
region.

 

With an estimated construction cost of circa £3 billion the programme will be
delivered by Cascade Infrastructure, a consortium of partners within which
bring a strong track record of delivering similar tunnelling schemes in
Europe.

 

The programme is the first in the water sector to be delivered through a
Direct Procurement for Customers model to provide best value for customers. It
covers the design, construction, maintenance and financing of the scheme.

 

Construction will get underway in 2026 and will see six tunnel sections
replaced with most of the work happening below ground using the latest
tunnelling techniques.

 

As well as securing supplies for millions of customers, the project will bring
a range of economic benefits to the region. Around 1200 people will be
employed at the construction peak with an apprentice recruitment programme to
help build and secure skills for the future.

 

Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive at United Utilities, said: "Making the North
West stronger, greener and healthier is at the heart of everything we do.
Today marks a significant step to ensure we have the right infrastructure to
provide a resilient water supply to communities right across the region for
decades to come and, at the same time, creating hundreds of great quality jobs
and delivering on the commitments and promises we have set out."

 

Water Minister, Emma Hardy said: "We are rebuilding the water network from the
ground up through one of the largest infrastructure projects ever seen in
Britain. In a new era of partnership between government and industry, we are
upgrading pipes, tackling sewage spills and safeguarding water security so
communities can once again take pride in their rivers, lakes and seas.
Investments in projects like the Haweswater Aqueduct will be essential in this
effort to secure clean water for future generations."

 

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "The Haweswater Aqueduct has
served our region well for decades. This landmark investment ensures it will
continue to do so for generations to come. It's not just about securing the
water supplies we need for our city region to grow - it's also about creating
jobs, building skills, and delivering long-term value for our communities."

 

Chris Taylor-Dawson, Senior Director, Major Projects and Markets at Ofwat
said: "This is a huge development for the North West, and the programme is the
first of its kind for the sector approved by Ofwat - marking a huge step
forward for the water industry as a whole. Safeguarding water resilience for
generations to come is vital and HARP sets a new standard for innovation and
collaboration in the sector. Together we are delivering more than just
infrastructure - we are investing in communities, protecting the environment
and creating opportunities.''

 

Contacts

 Investors and Analysts
 Chris Laybutt, Investor Relations and Clean Energy Strategy Director  +44 7769 556 858
 Jenny Platt, Investor Relations Manager                               +44 7733 064 907
 Media
 Gaynor Kenyon, Corporate Affairs Director                             +44 7753 622 282
 Graeme Wilson, Teneo Communications                                   +44 207 353 4200

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(1) During the 2019 regulatory price review, Ofwat introduced a new framework
called Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC). This is intended for the
provision of major discrete water and wastewater infrastructure projects
through third party providers. HARP will be delivered using a target cost
contract, with the Competitively Appointed Provider (CAP) incentivised to
outperform the target cost. The target construction cost is subject to
adjustment for events which are usually outside the control of and/or not the
fault of the contractor. Charges payable by United Utilities to the CAP under
the HARP contract will be recovered from customers under the Allowed Revenue
Direction issued by Ofwat.

 

LEI 2138002IEYQAOC88ZJ59

 

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