United Utilities has awarded an AMP8 contract for the supply of Moving Bed Bio Reactor (MMBR) and Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) units worth an estimated £1.8 million.

The procurement covers the supply of three MBBR65 units, three D100 DAF Units, two Flow Split Chambers and one D/A/S Blower Skid.

Earliest date the contract will be signed is 13 October 2025 – the one year contract will run to 12 October 2026

United Utilities has made the direct contract award without going out to competition to Monmouthshire-based firm Siltbuster Ltd.

The direct award has been made to a single supplier for technical reasons - under the Procurement Act 2023, a direct award is permissible for technical reasons in situations where a competitive tender would lead to disproportionate technical difficulties when operating or maintaining existing goods.

United Utilities said if the MBBR65 units are turned off site operations would be at significant risk of instability. “It is therefore unfeasible to remove the units, making it necessary to make the installation permanent”, the company explained.