As well as using large suppliers, the water company is keen to tap into the local supply chain and will be appointing more delivery partners in the coming months.

The partnership will be responsible for major infrastructure in the region delivering the largest storm spill reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters.

Jane Simpson, capital delivery director at United Utilities, said: “It will be our most ambitious programme yet and by putting this partnership in place with some of the best design and construction companies in the country, it allows us to get to work quickly and deliver the transformation that we know our customers want to see.”

United Utilities has submitted a £13.7bn investment plan for 2025-2030 to economic regulator Ofwat that would deliver cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and improvements to services for customers, communities and the environment.

The investment would support 30,000 jobs, including 7,000 new jobs within the company and wider supply chain, bringing investment in skills and opportunities to the heart of local communities and contribute £35 billion of economic value across the region.