Image description: A row of 3D printers on a table. Image by Minku Kang on Unsplash

United Utilities forging path with 3D printfrastructure 

United Utilities, a British water supply company, is accelerating the integration of 3D printing technologies into its operations and capital investment plans as part of the current AMP8 regulatory period. The move comes as the ‘Water Industry Printfrastructure’ project reaches its conclusion after two successful years during which several industry firsts have been achieved.

Funded through Ofwat’s Innovation Fund the project was led United Utilities, in partnership with tech innovators ChangeMaker3D, Manchester Metropolitan University’s PrintCity and Scottish Water. Since its launch in 2023, both concrete and polymer 3D printing have been explored in a series of studies. United Utilities shared the results of the project when it hosted a knowledge sharing event where delegates from Ofwat joined representatives from other water companies and supply chain partners. Reporting back on the results, United Utilities confirmed several printed items, including a wastewater jet nozzle and a trough for water monitoring instruments, are now being used by United Utilities in everyday operations, following rigorous testing and trials. and is now seeking to scale up adoption to support delivery of its AMP8 investment programme.

Winners of Water Industry Awards Announced 

United Utilities, Northumbrian and Severn Trent were among the multiple winners at the 2025 Water Industry Awards. The full list of winners can be viewed here.