GLIL investing in landmark water upgrade programme
Published: August 26, 2025
GLIL Infrastructure has invested in a UK project that will futureproof the water supply for millions across the north west of England.
The Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme will replace and maintain six tunnels on a pipeline that delivers water from the Lake District to Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
The £3bn project has been awarded to Cascade Infrastructure – comprised of GLIL, Equitix and STRABAG – by the region’s water provider United Utilities, with the newly formed organisation financing, designing, building and running the maintenance of the tunnels.
GLIL Infrastructure’s investment director Lee Belfield said: “This is a great example of how international collaboration, and the deployment of local capital can deliver positive long-term impact for communities.
“As a partnership of UK pension funds, money from Manchester and Lancashire, as well as from elsewhere across the country, is powering this investment into the north west from GLIL.”
The project is also a first of its kind for the water sector, with it being approved by regulator Ofwat through a Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC). This initiative is designed to deliver innovation and best value for customers.
The project’s building phase is planned to run for nine years, followed by a further 25 years of maintenance.
Belfield continued: “This investment reflects our continued focus on building and investing in UK infrastructure – delivering economic and social benefits across the country, while also delivering the stable, inflation-linked returns that come with infrastructure investment to our members.
“We’re also excited to be working with Equitix and STRABAG to deliver the UK’s first DPC contract.”
