Three preferred bidders are selected for five-year programme including joint ventures featuring Kier, Galliford Try, Costain and Atkins.

United Utilities has announced the preferred bidders for its £2.9 billion water quality and environment improvement programme .

Three separate contracts are being considered by the company for the designing, project management, construction and commissioning work of its water and wastewater treatment works and large-scale sewer overflows.

The preferred bidders in the five-year programme are:

  • Design and engineering company Montgomery Watson Harza
  • KMI Plus, a joint venture between Kier Construction, J Murphy & Sons, Interserve Project Services and Mouchel Parkman
  • Galliford Costain Atkins: a joint venture between Galliford Try, Costain and Atkins Water.
  • If confirmed, MWH would work alongside United Utilities and be jointly responsible for designing the new schemes and improvements to water and wastewater treatment works, as well as major sewer overflow schemes.

    KMI Plus and Galliford Costain Atkins would be responsible for detailed design work and the construction and commissioning phase of these projects. KMI Plus would cover the northern United Utilities area and Galliford Costain Atkins the South.

    United Utilities' Steven Beaumont, who has overall responsibility for the company's procurement and investment delivery process, said: “Delivering an investment programme of this scale requires careful management right from the very start. We've got a significant challenge ahead of us to meet our regulatory outputs and I know that with the right partners in place we will be able to meet our obligations and provide real value for money for our customers here in the North West.”