Northumbrian Water has awarded an AMP8 contract for the supply of phosphoric acid.

Phosphoric Acid is used for dosing for plumbosolvency control - plumbosolvency is the ability for water to dissolve lead and the addition of phosphate is required to control and prevent this.

Continuous dosing of low levels of phosphate into drinking water causes buildup of a thin scale on the inner walls of pipework. The scale prevents water from coming into direct contact with the walls of any lead pipework. Provided that the dose is applied continuously and without interruption this scale remains in place, thereby protecting customers from any harm associated with lead in drinking water.

The contract was tendered in the following Lots:

Lot 1- Phosphoric Acid & MSP Northumbrian Water Site

Airedale Chemical Company Ltd has been awarded a contract under Lot 1 – one of three companies in the bidding for the work.

Lot 2- Phosphoric Acid & MSP Essex & Suffolk Water Sites

Brenntag UK Ltd has been awarded a contract under Lot 2, one of three companies who bid for the work.

Initial contract term is three years with two further extension options.

The contract was tendered via the Achilles Utilities Vendor Data Base (UVDB) qualification system. The UVDB provides a common system for subscribing utility entities to select suppliers for invitation to participate in regulated procurement procedures.