United Utilities has awarded an AMP8 contract for thesupply and installation of eight penstock valves with an estimated total value of £1.25 million (inc VAT).

In a transparency notice, United Utilities says it has made the direct contract award without going out to formal tender to Glasgow firm Waterfront Fluid Controls Ltd. with the justification of extreme and unavoidable urgency.

The water company explains that eight penstocks which form part of the Mersey Estuary Pollution Alleviation Scheme (MEPAS) are inoperable and need to be replaced to prevent flooding, pollution and damage to customer property.

The risks in delays to replacing the penstocks are:

• Wastewater entering and polluting the River Mersey
• Saline water entering waste water treatment works causing damage to process equipment
• The prevention of backflows which would cause flooding at residential customer properties and businesses

United Utilities says a number of penstock suppliers were engaged with and the decision has been made based on a combination of technical expertise, capability and commercial feasibility in order to resolve this issue in as timely a manner as possible.

Earliest date the contract will be signed is 15 September 2025 - estimated start and end contract dates are 15 September 2025 to 31 December 2025.