United Utilities is starting work on a further three projects in Bolton in the UK to improve the water quality of four brooks in the area.
The North West’s water company is spending £38 million (€44 million) to reduce the amount of times that storm overflows operate in heavy rainfall from sites in Astley Bridge, Dunscar Bridge and Firwood industrial estate.
A network of two storage tunnels will be built between Firwood industrial estate, Bolton Arboretum and Longsight Park.
The tunnels will be able to store more than 3500 cubic meters of storm water.
The project at Astley Bridge will see a 400 cubic meter storage tank built in Haywood’s Hollow. As well as extra storage, a new screen will be fitted to the overflow to help improve the water quality in Astley Brook.
Whilst at Dunscar Bridge a 200 cubic meter storage meter tank with a screen will be built to help improve the water quality in Eagley Brook and Gale Brook.
Work is due to be completed at all three sites by March 2025.
It comes after the company started work on a separate project at its treatments works in Bolton to increase the capacity of the works, improve the treatment processes at the plant and reduce the time that the storm overflow operates.
As part of its draft business plan for the period 2025 – 2030, United Utilities is also proposing to invest a record £13.7 billion (€16 billion) to deliver cleaner rivers and more reliable water supplies.
The regulator will review the proposals and give its draft response by June. The final plans will be agreed by December.
United Utilities begins work on new water projects
