---
title: "Preliminary Market Engagement - Aquatic drones"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED"
published: "2026-02-10"
---

# Preliminary Market Engagement - Aquatic drones

Buyer: UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011772-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 10 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2026 - 1 Sep 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED |
| Locality | GREAT SANKEY |
| Post town | Warrington |
| Postcode | WA5 3LP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD61 Warrington |
| Local authority | Warrington |
| Electoral ward | Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall |
| Westminster constituency | Warrington South |
| Delivery location | TLD North West (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

### Codes

- 90733100 - Surface water pollution monitoring or control services
- 90733700 - Groundwater pollution monitoring or control services

## Release History

- 10 Feb 2026 at 11:44 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011772-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011772-2026
  10th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064c3d.json.