United Utilities has awarded  an AMP6 analysis services contract worth between £4 million to  £11m to global consultancy RPS Environmental Management Ltd.

The contract is for the provision of sampling and analysis for Chemical Investigations Programme 2/P1 including the collection, testing and analysis of samples.

the water companies are required to deliver programmes of sampling and analysis between 2015 and 2020 to understand the impact of priority and priority hazardous substances, specific pollutants, emerging substances and pharmaceuticals from sewage treatment works (STWs) on the environment.

United Utilities had considered two options for the contract. Option A was for part of the requirement ( including the physical sample collection) to be undertaken by United Utilities as well as some of the testing and analysis of some of the samples. Option B was for all of the requirement to be serviced by an external provider, this will include the physical collection of samples.

The Framework Agreement will be for an initial period of 2 years and 5 months with an option to extend up to an additional 3 years.