United Utilities accepted Ofwat's PR24 final determination in January 2025. The AMP8 programme (April 2025 – March 2030) carries a gross totex allowance of £13.3bn (£12.7bn net of grants) — the largest investment in North West water infrastructure in over 100 years, supporting 30,000 jobs.
The United Utilities AMP8 programme runs from April 2025 to March 2030 under Ofwat's PR24 price control. The £13.3bn gross totex allowance is split across capital expenditure (new infrastructure and asset replacement), operational expenditure (running costs), and developer services. It is the largest sustained investment programme United Utilities has undertaken, and the largest capital programme in the North West in a generation.
United Utilities has raised £800m in additional equity since the final determination, signalling intent to invest beyond the Ofwat baseline where returns support it. A key example is the data centre and AI Growth Zone interim reopener — United Utilities submitted a £1.4bn application to Ofwat in May 2026 to fund water network infrastructure serving the Greater Manchester data centre cluster, which is not funded within the existing £13.3bn AMP8 envelope. Ofwat is expected to respond in late 2026.
The AMP8 regulatory period runs 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030. Framework procurement began in 2023–24 to ensure contractors were in place at AMP8 start. Most major frameworks are now appointed — live tender opportunities are concentrated in specialist, Minor Works and services categories.
Water company procurement is spread across multiple portals and notification systems. Knowing exactly where to look — and when — is the difference between catching a framework in time and missing the window.
Water Industry Hub monitors all water company procurement channels and delivers relevant notices directly to your inbox — so you never have to check multiple portals manually.
Water company frameworks operate on a tier structure. Tier 1 contractors hold a direct contractual relationship with United Utilities. Tier 2 and Tier 3 specialists subcontract through Tier 1 framework holders. If you cannot win a Tier 1 position, approach the Tier 1 framework holders above to discuss Tier 2 opportunities — framework holders actively need to build specialist supply chains.
Water Industry Hub offers procurement support from someone who spent 18 years inside a major water company — across distribution, operations, capital delivery and group transformation. Every bid review is supported by a team of water sector experts. Initial conversation free of charge.
Water Industry Hub monitors Find a Tender and the wider sector for every United Utilities contract award, live tender and pipeline notice — with named supplier details, supply chain analysis and framework watch list.
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