Rainwater Management

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...