Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement - Aquatic drones

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

10 Feb 2026 at 11:44

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process led by United Utilities Water Limited is currently in the planning stage for a project titled "Preliminary Market Engagement - Aquatic drones." The aim is to seek drone-based solutions to improve water quality sampling and pollution detection in rivers and lakes. This service-based procurement falls under the industry category of water pollution control and takes place in the UK, specifically in the UKD region. Interested parties should reach out via email by the deadline of 10th March 2026 to register their interest for this market engagement opportunity. The contracting period for successful suppliers is anticipated to commence on 1st September 2026 and conclude on 1st September 2027.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses looking to expand in the environmental monitoring and control services sector. Companies with expertise in aquatic, aerial, or hybrid drone technology, particularly those capable of integrating solutions with existing data systems, would be well-suited to compete. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, as indicated by the tender's suitability criteria, offering them a chance to collaborate with major utilities and grow their operational footprint in innovative pollution monitoring services.

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Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement - Aquatic drones

Notice Description

The project will evaluate and recommend drone-based solutions (aquatic, aerial, or hybrid) that improve the safety, speed, and effectiveness of reactive water quality sampling, and assess how such technologies could enhance pollution detection, tracking, and attribution-supporting capabilities for wastewater-related pollution incidents in rivers and lakes. The solution must integrate with and complement United Utilities' existing monitoring infrastructure and data systems and address key operational challenges.

Planning Information

Please email Harry.east@uuplc.co.uk to register your interest and a copy of the question set will be shared.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011772-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

90733100 - Surface water pollution monitoring or control services

90733700 - Groundwater pollution monitoring or control services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 1 Sep 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED
Contact Name
Harry East
Contact Email
harry.east@uuplc.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
GREAT SANKEY
Postcode
WA5 3LP
Post Town
Warrington
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD61 Warrington
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)

Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall
Westminster Constituency
Warrington South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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