United Utilities has gone out to tender with a contract to upgrade its Blakcburn and Darwen Wastewater Treatment Works worth up to£165 million.
The single contract covers the design, construction, commissioning and operation/optimisation of new and refurbished wastewater treatment facilities at Blackburn and Darwen Wastewater Treatment Works, together with a new transfer pipeline.
The project is seeking to provide what United Utilities describes as a holistic engineering solution to the multiple quality and maintenance drivers at the two locations, including compliance with the Bathing Waters standard, the Water Framework Directive consent and a new phosphorus consent. Estimated value is between £145 million to £165 million.
Works under the contract, which will run for five years, are likely to include
- Refurbishment of existing facilities;
- Storm storage;
- New sewage transfer pipeline;
- New primary, secondary and potentially tertiary treatment;
- Additional final effluent UV treatment capacity;
- New or modified outfalls with hydro-generation;
- New wastewater sludge treatment facilities including CHP engines;
- New effluent screening and grit removal facilities;
- Site drainage;
- Amendments to site HV and LV power distribution;
- New SCADA systems including remote access and monitoring;
- Provision of temporary plant;
- Decommissioning of remaining redundant assets.
The operation, quality performance and throughput of the existing works will also have to be maintained throughout the construction period.
United Utilities is holding an introductory presentation about the Blackburn and Darwen Integrated Solution at 10:00 on 16th June at a location to be confirmed in the Warrington area. Interested suppliers must confirm their intention to attend by mid-day on 15th June.
Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 14th July – click here to access the tender documentation.
HUBER Technology UK & Ireland are inviting people to register for their March webinar where they will be providing information about HUBER water intake screens for municipal and industrial applications.

Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.