---
title: "Rainwater Management"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "United Utilities Water Limited"
published: "2026-08-07"
---

# Rainwater Management

Buyer: United Utilities Water Limited  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b.json)

## Summary

United Utilities Water Limited is planning a framework for rainwater management schemes across North West England, covering Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, with particular anticipated focus on Greater Manchester and Merseyside. The work will reduce surface water entering combined sewers and help limit storm-overflow operation through sustainable drainage and nature-based solutions. Scope includes attenuation ponds, rain gardens, swales, permeable paving, soakaways, tree pits, green and blue roofs, downpipe disconnections, landscape maintenance and natural flood management. It also covers highway and private-site design and build, complex construction packages, manufactured rainwater products, and surveys including topographical, drainage, ground-penetrating radar, contaminated-surface-water and infiltration investigations. The main category is works, with associated goods and services.

This procurement is at planning and is currently a market-engagement exercise, not an invitation to tender. United Utilities expects to use a utilities framework agreement, with one planned lot suitable for SMEs. The framework is expected to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with renewal provisions allowing extension to 31 March 2035. The buyer’s indicative date for the next notice is 30 October 2026. Businesses with relevant experience are asked to provide market-engagement information by 28 August 2026, including company details, location, contact information, turnover and the service areas of interest. The recorded gross estimated value is £0 GBP. The planned procurement is above threshold.

The framework is intended for suppliers able to deliver rainwater solutions at substantial scale, including civil engineering, sustainable drainage, green infrastructure, landscape and environmental capabilities. It may suit contractors covering low-complexity disconnections, highway works and private sites such as schools, supermarkets, hospitals and housing, as well as major construction packages in urban and rural settings. Natural flood management specialists should be able to design and build leaky dams, wetlands, earth bunds and catchment planting, with habitat restoration, hydraulic assessment and traditional land-management experience. Product manufacturers need repeatable manufacturing, storage, distribution and installation capacity. Survey providers should cover drainage, CCTV, topographical, GPR, impermeable-area, contaminated-surface-water and BRE 365 infiltration work. Street works qualifications and relevant permits or consents will be important for highway delivery.

## Notice

United Utilities (UU) wishes to engage the market to support the delivery of Rainwater Management schemes across the North West of England. The Environment Act and subsequent Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan (SODRP) have introduced a statutory requirement to significantly reduce the operation of storm overflows, with all storm overflows expected to spill no more than ten times per year by 2050. Approximately 54% of United Utilities' wastewater network is a combined sewer system, conveying both surface water and wastewater to Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTWs) or Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) prior to discharge to the environment. This framework will enable United Utilities to appoint Contractors to deliver Rainwater Management solutions that reduce the volume of surface water entering the combined sewer network. Through the implementation of nature-based and sustainable drainage interventions, the framework aims to mitigate the impacts of storm overflows, improve network resilience, and contribute to the achievement of regulatory and environmental objectives. United Utilities' (UU) Rainwater Management strategy is founded on Sustainable Drainage principles, which prioritise the capture, reuse and management of rainwater as close as possible to where it falls. The strategy promotes the use of surface conveyance, infiltration, disconnection and attenuation to slow the movement of water through the catchment and reduce pressure on the wastewater network. This approach, combined with measures to improve water efficiency, creates additional capacity within wastewater catchments, reduces demand for potable water, and maximises value by delivering wider environmental, social and economic benefits through the creation of blue-green infrastructure. By increasing the use of Rainwater Management interventions, UU can reduce its reliance on traditional, carbon-intensive engineering solutions, such as underground storage tanks, while delivering best value outcomes for customers and the environment. Whilst many of the individual interventions are well-established and proven, the scale and pace of delivery proposed by UU is unprecedented within the sector. The opportunity lies in developing and deploying these solutions at scale, working collaboratively with customers, businesses, Local Authorities, and other key stakeholders to drive widescale delivery and maximise catchment-wide benefits. The current Rainwater Management Programme identifies approximately 6,500 interventions across the United Utilities network area. However, Bidders should note that the programme remains subject to ongoing development and refinement may include up to 10,000 interventions over the framework term. Interventions will be delivered across the five county areas served by United Utilities: Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. Particular focus is anticipated within Greater Manchester and Merseyside over AMP8, reflecting the strategic importance of these areas, the presence of Combined Authorities, and the objectives set out within their respective Integrated Water Management Plans (IWMPs). Rainwater Management Intervention Types Attenuation Pond: holding water body, suitable in large natural spaces only Bio-retention: pollution control incorporated into intervention design Blue Roof: smart water storage to catch rainwater and slow the return period Disconnection: surface water systems or extraneous rainwater from the combined network to a more suitable receiver e.g. water course. Downpipe Disconnection: from residential and business buildings, e.g. butt rainwater planter. Filter Drain: trench filled with gravel, water infiltrates to ground Green roofs: water retaining layer beneath a growing medium and planting for additional benefits e.g. air quality, biodiversity. Natural Flood Management (NFM): landscape solutions to manage uplands to retain rainwater where it falls e.g. leaky dams, catchment planting Permeable Paving: water infiltrates to ground or stored/ attenuated underground Rain Garden: surface planting, water infiltrates to ground or stored/ attenuated underground Soakaway: excavation filled with gravel and landscaped. Water infiltrates to ground Swale: shallow wide channel to catch, slow the flow or infiltrate water to ground. Can be wet and/ or dry Tree Pit: underground system combining urban tree planting with drainage that captures stormwater Landscape Maintenance & Management: services to undertake appropriate landscape maintenance such as mowing, watering, visual inspections, re-planting, silt removal. Disconnections Contractors will be responsible for the Design and Build of low complexity surface water disconnection works, where existing surface water pipes connected to the combined sewer network will be diverted to a more suitable receiving system. This may include connection to existing surface water sewers, or discharge via Rainwater Interventions such as rain gardens, attenuation ponds etc. Minor Works Streets Contractors will be responsible for the Design and Build of Rainwater Management interventions located within highways. These will comprise of non-complex standardised design solutions; however, Contractors will be expected to apply appropriate design judgement, innovation and technical capability to adapt solutions to site-specific constraints, stakeholder requirements and opportunities for wider environmental or placemaking benefits. The Contractor will be responsible for managing Traffic Management and gaining the necessary consents/ permits/ license, therefore holding the necessary Street Works Qualifications. In addition, demonstrate the appropriate balance of technical capability and relevant experience to successfully deliver nature-based solutions, encompassing both civil engineering and green infrastructure/landscape expertise. Minor Works - Five S's Contractors will be responsible for the design and build of Rainwater Management interventions on private sites with a specific focus on schools, supermarkets, stations, state buildings (e.g. hospitals), and social housing sites. Solutions are expected to be low complexity to support delivery at pace and may range from product-based interventions through to bespoke site-specific designs. Contractors will need to consider practical delivery constraints within live environments, such as school playgrounds, supermarket car parks, hospital estates and residential settings. In addition to improving rainwater management, successful solutions should seek to deliver wider social, environmental and community benefits by creating attractive, functional and usable spaces for the people who use them. Examples may include: Interactive and educational outdoor environments for schools Calming and attractive spaces that support wellbeing within healthcare settings Planted areas that improve local amenity and help promote a sense of community within social housing sites Major Works Contractors will be responsible soley for the delivery of the Works (construction) on complex packages comprising of multiple Rainwater Management Interventions across a range of typologies within a single scheme. Interventions may include, but are not limited to, permeable paving, rain gardens, swales, and detention basins. And could be located within highways, public open space, catchment land, public realm. Design services will be provided by others, either by United Utilities' in-house team or by Design Partners appointed through a separate United Utilities framework. The Contractor shall provide suitably qualified and experienced resources with the appropriate balance of civil engineering, green infrastructure, and landscape expertise also managing construction, to support the successful delivery of nature-based solutions in both rural and urban locations. Natural Flood Management (NFM) NFM requires specialist environmental contractors to design and build nature based solutions such as leaky dams, wetlands, earth bunds and catchment planting such as woodland buffer strips or sphagnum moss. Habitat restoration, hydraulic assessment and traditional land management construction capabilities are essential for success. Along with working within designated and highly protected landscapes and with sensitive land owners. Products & Manufacturing Suppliers will be required to manufacture, store, supply, deliver and, where required, install Rainwater Management products suitable for deployment across household and non-household settings. This may include products designed or specified by United Utilities, including those where United Utilities owns or controls the intellectual property, alongside supplier-proposed products or product developments. Products may include, but are not limited to, water butts, rainwater planters, SuDS planters, modular attenuation or storage products, and associated components. Suppliers shall demonstrate the ability of repeatability and delivery at scale in terms of manufacturing, storage, distribution arrangement and installation capability. Also, the ability to deliver in the UU technical, operational and customer environment. Surveys & Investigations Contractor will provide Survey Works to support the delivery of the Rainwater Management Programme. This will include, Topographical, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Drainage (Connectivity, CCTV, MH cards), Impermeable Area Survey (IAS), Contaminated Surface Water (CSW) for cross connections and infiltration tests (BRE 365)

### Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=108042&TID=100113109&B= If you have experience in this area please could you provide at a minimum the following information and submit to the United Utilities Strategic Procurements team mailbox. StrategicProcurementTeam@uuplc.co.uk Company Name Contact details, including location telephone and e-mail address, main point of contact and position in Company Company Turnover Confirmation of which of the following you are interested in; Disconnections (Service & Works) Minor Works Streets (Service & Works) Minor Works – Five S’s (Services & Works) Major Works (Works) Natural Flood Management (NFM) (Services & Works) Products & Manufacturing (Goods & Works) Surveys & Investigations (Services)

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075427-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 30 Oct 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 |
| 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 | WARRINGTON |
| Postcode area | 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

- 44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)
- 45 - Construction work
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 44160000 - Pipeline, piping, pipes, casing, tubing and related items
- 45111240 - Ground-drainage work
- 45220000 - Engineering works and construction works
- 45232450 - Drainage construction works
- 45240000 - Construction work for water projects
- 45262640 - Environmental improvement works
- 71322000 - Engineering design services for the construction of civil engineering works
- 71332000 - Geotechnical engineering services
- 71351500 - Ground investigation services
- 71351810 - Topographical services
- 71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services

## Release History

- 7 Aug 2026 at 16:01 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075427-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075427-2026
  7th August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=108042&TID=100113109&B=
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=108042&TID=100113109&B=IfyouhaveexperienceinthisareapleasecouldyouprovideataminimumthefollowinginformationandsubmittotheUnitedUtilitiesStrategicProcurementsteammailbox.StrategicProcurementTeam@uuplc.co.ukCompanyNameContactdetails,includinglocationtelephoneande-mailaddress,mainpointofcontactandpositioninCompanyCompanyTurnoverConfirmationofwhichofthefollowingyouareinterestedin;Disconnections(Service&Works)MinorWorksStreets(Service&Works)MinorWorks–FiveS’s(Services&Works)MajorWorks(Works)NaturalFloodManagement(NFM)(Services&Works)Products&Manufacturing(Goods&Works)Surveys&Investigations(Services)
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.unitedutilities.com

## 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-06df6b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06df6b.json.