United Utilities has officially signed the contract for the full refurbishment of the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP). This project represents the largest water infrastructure scheme in the North West and will deliver critical resilience to a system serving 2.5 million people across Cumbria, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire.
The consortium composed of STRABAG Equitix and GLIL Infrastructure, known collectively as Cascade Infrastructure, has been appointed to manage the design, construction, maintenance, and financing of HARP. STRABAG UK will lead the detailed design and build, with Turner & Townsend providing independent technical advice throughout the process.
This initiative is notable as the first in the UK water sector to be delivered through a Direct Procurement for Customers model, as approved by Ofwat. The model has been developed to maximise long-term value for customers, combining efficiency in construction and cost control.
The original Haweswater aqueduct was commissioned over 70 years ago and remains vital to water supply in the North West. At an estimated cost of £3 billion, HARP will replace six sections of the 110 km aqueduct, using modern tunnelling techniques to upgrade its resilience.
Construction is scheduled to commence in 2026. Much of the work will take place underground, with tunnelling adopted to reduce community disruption and protect surface environments.
STRABAG UK’s managing director has highlighted the importance of the project not only for water resilience but also for creating regional opportunities in training, employment, and supply chain growth.
The project is expected to deliver significant environmental and community benefits while ensuring reliable water supplies for future generations.
HARP is a clear demonstration of how complex underground engineering can address pressing infrastructure challenges and play a critical role in adapting to long-term climate change pressures.