Scope
Description
To procure an ongoing service that has provided benefit during the POC phase, and will continue to provide benefit to support consumption and leakage targets. It is in use now and is helping UU maintain service above official drought levels. This is currently a tactical solution to support current requirements. A long term solution whether make or buy is being looked for 2026.
Technology Requirement
The requirement is to use SUEZ, in partnership with Asterras, to deliver a satellite-based leak detection service using SAR Band technology. This service is designed to identify underground untreated water leaks across our asset base with high precision and minimal disruption.
This advanced technology enables:
*Non-invasive, wide area monitoring of potential leak sites
*High-frequency scanning to support proactive maintenance
*Improved detection accuracy, particularly in hard-to-access or high-risk areas
*Operational efficiency gains through early identification and resolution of leaks
In addition to the core leak detection service, the solution includes:
*Provision of a digital dashboard and mobile application to:
*Investigate and visualise Point of Interest of Interest (POINT OF INTERESTs)
*Track leak detection progress and outcomes
*Monitor performance improvements over time
*Support incident response and resource prioritisation
*Quantify benefits and efficiency gains from the technology
The dashboard and app are integral to the service, enabling real-time collaboration between field teams, analysts, and asset managers, and ensuring that insights from satellite scans are actionable and measurable.
The aggregated spend will be over £1million.
This was originally a Pilot Deployment, and the trial was conducted during 2024 - 2025 covering Tameside and the Wirral. The trial demonstrated high success rates in leak detection, prompting an expansion of the engagement.
While other suppliers were considered, none were able to demonstrate comparable capabilities or results. The unique nature of the SAR Band technology and the proven success of the trial made SUEZ the only viable supplier.
Unique Technical Capability: SUEZ, in partnership with Asterras, offers a proprietary SAR Band satellite leak detection solution that is not currently available through any other supplier. This technology has been proven to detect subsurface treated water leaks with high precision, even in challenging terrains and urban environments.
There is no existing framework agreement or contract that covers this specific type of satellite-based leak detection service. Traditional leak detection methods available through existing frameworks do not offer the same level of coverage, accuracy, or technological innovation.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
24 July 2025
Earliest date the contract will be signed
11 August 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 August 2025 to 14 February 2026
- 6 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 65130000 - Operation of water supplies
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - technical reasons
- Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
To procure an ongoing service that has provided benefit during the POC phase, and will continue to provide benefit to support consumption and leakage targets. It is in use now and is helping UU maintain service above official drought levels. This is currently a tactical solution to support current requirements. A long term solution whether make or buy is being looked for 2026.
Supplier
SUEZ ADVANCED SOLUTIONS UK LIMITED
- Companies House: 05687775
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMTJ-2368-GWYY
SUEZ House
Maidenhead
SL6 1ES
United Kingdom
Email: tenders.advancedsolutions.uk@suez.com
Website: http://www.suez.com/en/uk
Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED
- Companies House: 02366678
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVVB-5589-BWHX
Haweswater House, Lingley Green Avenue
Great Sankey
WA5 3LP
United Kingdom
Region: UKD61 - Warrington
Organisation type: Private utility