United Utilities completes four projects to improve water quality in Bolton

United Utilities has completed four projects to improve water quality in the Bolton area. 

The North West’s water company has invested more than £150m across four sites to help improve the water quality of the River Irwell and its tributaries.

At its wastewater treatment works off Red Rock Lane, the company has increased the capacity of the treatment works to allow it to treat more wastewater.  The increase in treatment capacity will also reduce the amount of times that the storm overflow operates in periods of heavy rain.

The wastewater will also be treated to higher standards thanks to the installation of more innovative technology.

The company has also completed three projects at sites in Astley Bridge, Dunscar Bridge and Firwood industrial estate to reduce the number of times storm overflows operate in heavy rain. A network of two storage tunnels has been built between Firwood industrial estate, Bolton Arboretum and Longsight Park. 

The tunnels are able to store more than 2900 cubic meters of storm water – which is the equivalent of more than one Olympic size swimming pool. A tunnelling machine was used to create the huge storage tunnel and the project will improve water quality in Bradshaw Brook.

The project at Astley Bridge has seen a 400 cubic meter storage tank built in Haywood’s Hollow.  As well as extra storage, a new screen was 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 has been built to help improve the water quality in Eagley Brook and Gale Brook. 

Chris Borradaile, Wastewater County Business Leader for Greater Manchester at United Utilities, said: “We’re really pleased to have delivered these four projects in Bolton on time.  We know how important improving water quality is to our customers and these schemes will all play their part in improving the River Irwell. 

“There is more to do though and we have projects to improve wastewater treatment works and reduce storm overflows right across Greater Manchester over the next five years that we’re now getting on with delivering.”