United Utilities Water Limited has published a contract notice for its PRO004877 Tankering & Industrial Cleaning Framework, with a total value of £392,400,000 including VAT across an eight-year term. It will be structured across three lots, covering tankering, industrial cleaning, and water sludge services. This is a major opportunity for waste management and industrial services contractors operating in the North West of England.
If you're considering bidding, contact Thornton & Lowe for a rapid, confidential opportunity assessment. Our team can help you establish whether this framework aligns with your strengths and strategic goals. You can also find useful guidance in our overview of waste management tender bid writing.
About United Utilities and This Framework
United Utilities is the regulated water and wastewater company for the North West of England, serving around seven million customers across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside. As a regulated utility under the Water Industry Act, it operates under significant compliance obligations and expects its supply chain to reflect the same standards of rigour.
The PRO004877 framework is a live contract notice, meaning the formal procurement is open now, with a submission deadline of 24 July 2026. Suppliers should not delay in reviewing the documentation.
Three Lots: Defined Routes for Specialist Operators
- Lot 1: Tankering Services: the collection and disposal of liquid waste and sewage from United Utilities' network and treatment sites.
- Lot 2: Industrial Cleaning Services: high-pressure jetting, confined space cleaning, and associated industrial cleaning activities across United Utilities' operational estate.
- Lot 3: Water Sludge Cake / Water Sludge Services: the handling, processing, transport, and disposal or beneficial use of water treatment sludge.
Suppliers can bid for one or more lots. The lot-based design means specialist operators in a single area can compete effectively without needing to cover the full scope. Bidders covering multiple lots should ensure each submission is tailored to the specific requirements and evaluation criteria of that lot.
What Bidders Need to Address
- Regulatory compliance: United Utilities operates in a heavily regulated environment. Suppliers must demonstrate thorough understanding of relevant waste disposal regulations, environmental permits, and sector-specific standards, particularly for Lots 1 and 3 where waste classification and disposal routes are critical.
- Geographic footprint: United Utilities' operational area covers the entire North West region. Suppliers must be able to demonstrate coverage and mobilisation capability across this geography.
- Eight-year sustainability: Long-term agreements of this value require evidence of financial stability, fleet investment plans, and a track record of sustaining performance over multi-year contracts.
- Previous water sector experience: Case studies and references from comparable water or utilities sector clients are particularly valuable for this procurement. Evaluators will want to see that you understand the operating environment.
Quick facts
- Authority: United Utilities Water Limited
- Framework value: £392,400,000 including VAT
- Term: 8 years
- Lots: 1. Tankering, 2. Industrial Cleaning, 3. Water Sludge
- Geographic focus: North West England
- Submission deadline: 24 July 2026
- Notice: View on Find a Tender
With a live notice and a July deadline, time is short. Review the full tender documentation on Find a Tender and, if you need support building a competitive, compliant submission, speak to Thornton & Lowe today.
