United Utilities submits £1.4bn North West water investment plan
United Utilities has submitted plans for about £1.4 billion of additional investment in water and wastewater infrastructure across the North West.
The proposals are part of Ofwat’s 2026 “re-opener” process, which allows water companies to request extra funding during the five-year regulatory period when new investment needs can be demonstrated.
The package includes around £220 million for a non-potable water supply to the HyNet clean-energy cluster in Ellesmere Port, £200 million for water infrastructure supporting proposed data centres in east Manchester, and £350 million for wastewater treatment capacity at 34 sites.
United Utilities says the wastewater work would support up to 100,000 people, including new housing. A further £410 million is proposed to improve the resilience of existing assets, including boreholes and water-storage facilities.
The company expects its wider investment programme to support around 4,000 jobs across its supply chain, in addition to the 30,000 jobs linked to its existing AMP8 programme for 2025 to 2030.
Louise Beardmore, United Utilities’ chief executive, said: “It’s crucial that we can support regional growth with reliable, resilient services, and that’s why we have asked our shareholders to help fund this further BIG North West upgrade of the region’s water and wastewater infrastructure.”
Ofwat’s draft decision was expected in August 2026, with a final decision due on 15 December 2026.
