Chemical engineer award for utilities firm

A technician tests a sample of water at a United Utilities laboratory in Warrington

The presentation was given at the company’s head office in Great Sankey, Warrington.

The company supplies seven million people, from Crewe to Carlisle, with clean drinking water and waste services. It invested more than £3bn in improving water infrastructure in the North West of England between 2010 and 2015, and has one of the largest engineering departments in the UK water industry.

United Utilities is the first water company in the UK to be recognised as a Silver Corporate Partner of IChemE.

It reached bronze status in 2014, after showing a clear commitment to developing its in-house engineering team.

In the two years that followed, United Utilities embarked on additional activities to champion engineering professionalism and encourage young people locally to consider careers in science and technology. IChemE’s director, Andy Furlong said: “The commitment to engineering right across the business shines through, and they are blazing a trail in the water sector. I am delighted to present this award today, and wish them the best of luck in ramping up activity to achieve Gold partner status.”