United Utilities has begun rolling out hundreds of smart wastewater pumping systems as part of a major programme to reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) spills across north-west England.
The utility has partnered with Xylem to deploy 330 Flygt Concertor intelligent pumping systems, complete with Nexicon pre-programmed pump controllers. United Utilities is working at pace to deliver its largest environmental investment plan which includes improvements to storm overflow sites and reducing spills by 60% by 2030.
Flygt Concertor combines a pump, intelligent controls and monitoring capabilities in a single system. The system automatically adapts to changing operating conditions to deliver clog-free, self-cleaning pumping while helping utilities improve performance, reduce unplanned maintenance and callouts and lower energy consumption.
Andrew Welsh, water utilities director, Xylem, and Dan Heywood, standardisation manager, United Utilities, showcased the partnership at the 2026 Water Equipment Show, during a joint presentation about the evolution of pumping technology.
Welsh highlighted how the Flygt Concertor system has been deployed by four UK water companies across a total of 900 stations.
The four companies using the technology have seen a range of outcomes, including:
- Between 13-40% reduction in energy
- 85% reduction in pump and parts inventory
- 90-93% reduction in reactive attendance visits
- Return on investment within one year – with biggest savings from fewer maintenance requirements and reactive calls outs
United Utilities selected the Flygt Concertor solution in late 2025, following an extensive evaluation, including site visits to other water companies and analysis of operational data. Installation of 330 Concertor systems was agreed, the first of which was commissioned in April 2026. In total, these deployments will support 77% of the company’s CSO improvement programme.
Heywood said: “We required a standard product design that could be deployed at scale to facilitate an accelerated CSO programme across sites with varying system conditions and performance requirements. .
“To focus on standardisation, we’ve now got one of three pumps across 330 sites and projects – that means for maintenance we’re only carrying one set of three types of spares. .
“We’ve had great collaboration and support from Xylem, from concept design to commissioning. We are now exploring how we can build on this with Xylem’s wider digital services.”
Welsh said: “At Xylem, we see the evolution of pumping as a journey – looking at where the industry has been, what we’ve achieved over recent AMP cycles and where we’re going.
“Advances include clog-free pumping, smarter control, greater energy efficiency, automated sump cleaning, remote monitoring and, ultimately, fully optimised catchment management across the network.
“It’s encouraging to work with organisations like United Utilities who are on that journey and recognise how innovation can improve operations.
“We’ve been fortunate to work with every wastewater framework across the UK and Ireland, so we understand the challenges water companies face. With £12 billion being invested during AMP8, it’s vital that investment goes into solutions that deliver measurable, long-term impact.”
Welsh went on to explain how the benefits of intelligent pumping can quickly outweigh initial investment. This is achieved through enhanced performance, fewer incidents and callouts, lower energy consumption and improved health and safety.
One early adopter installed around 1,000 Concertor pumps across 500 pumping stations during AMP7, investing £4.1 million. The company achieved £5.4 million in operational savings over the remainder of the AMP, recovering the capital investment within a year while continuing to see ongoing savings
He said: “Pumps have historically been replaced largely based on serial numbers but the technology has evolved and there’s a smarter way.
“By focusing on whole-life performance rather than replacing assets like for like, water companies can see significantly greater value from their investment and accelerate the environmental outcomes the sector is striving to achieve.
“Our partnership with United Utilities just one example of what is possible with intelligent technology and shows what the future of pumping can look like.”
