Award

Waterhelm Desalination trial

MINING REMEDIATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

17 Sep 2025 at 14:59

Award

17 Sep 2025 at 14:02

Summary of the contracting process

The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA), a central government public authority based at 200 Lichfield Lane, Nottinghamshire, has completed the contract process for a trial of a novel desalination technology developed by Waterwhelm, a UK start-up. The tender, titled "Waterhelm Desalination Trial," falls under the "works" category and concerns the Water Treatment and Desalination industry, specifically targeting the pressing issue of rising saline mine water. The procurement was conducted through a direct award process, classified as below threshold and without competition, and was completed on 17th September 2025. The awarded contract is set to operate at the Lynemouth Mine Water Treatment Scheme, with the project running from 1st October to 31st December 2025.

This opportunity provides significant growth potential for businesses in the water treatment and technology sectors, especially those focused on innovative environmental solutions. SMEs and firms capable of contributing novel approaches to desalination and wastewater management, particularly in deploying flexible and mobile solutions, are well-suited for such engagements. The trial not only offers a platform for showcasing advanced desalination methodologies but also involves stages of mobilisation to decommissioning, promising comprehensive insights into operational scalability and feasibility. This could lead to further collaborations and expanded market presence for adept participants who demonstrate successful outcomes in this pilot initiative.

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Notice Title

Waterhelm Desalination trial

Notice Description

The Salinity Department are developing a programme of short trails to research technologies which may be of use when seeking solutions to the problems posed by rising saline mine water. Waterwhelm is a start up company based in the UK, Waterwhelm have designed and developed an efficient "Forward Osmosis" technology which has the potential to deliver large savings when compared against existing "Reverse Osmosis" technology. The prototype they have developed is highly mobile and can be deployed from shipping containers. Following a site visit in June this year, the Salinity team believe this technology is worthy of inclusion in the trials programme. Due to a gap in Waterwhelm's scheduling, a window of opportunity has opened for us to launch the first of these trials. The availability is from October to December of this year The MRA have identified Lynemouth Mine Water Treatment Scheme (MWTS) as the site most suitable to run a Waterwhelm-operated pilot project. Waterwhelm's pilot plant deployed at Lynemouth MWTS will consist of two 20ft stacked shipping containers. These items of plant had previously operated at a capacity of 5m3/day, equivalent to reusing and processing 5,000 litres of wastewater or brackish water per day This award has been made via the Direct Award route. A UK5 Transparency notice reference 2025/S 000-057402 has also been published.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059c66
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057456-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

45 - Construction work

65 - Public utilities


CPV Codes

42912340 - Desalination apparatus

45232430 - Water-treatment work

65122000 - Water desalination services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£190,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
30 Sep 2025 - 31 Dec 2025 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINING REMEDIATION AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Roger Martin
Contact Email
procurement@coal.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Postcode
NG18 4RG
Post Town
Nottingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF15 North Nottinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Mansfield
Electoral Ward
Berry Hill
Westminster Constituency
Mansfield

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WATERWHELM

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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