Salford is set to receive its largest ever investment in sewer infrastructure, as United Utilities plans to spend over £525 million in the next five years to improve water quality throughout the city.
The programme aims to reduce storm overflows, safeguard local rivers and canals, and reinforce the sewer network to better handle future demand and extreme weather events.
One of the main projects will take place at Salford Wastewater Treatment Works, where £225 million will be invested in a new treatment process designed to remove higher levels of ammonia and phosphorus.
This will result in cleaner water being released into the Manchester Ship Canal. Another major upgrade will be carried out at Eccles Wastewater Treatment Works, with £302 million being spent on new infrastructure.
This includes the construction of a large underground storage tank, along with new pumping systems, screening facilities and odour control.
The tank will be able to store around 60,000 cubic metres of water, which is equivalent to 24 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This extra capacity will help prevent sewage spills during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing pollution in Salteye Brook and the Manchester Ship Canal.
In addition to this, further works are already underway near the M60 at Liverpool Road, where a smaller underground tank with a capacity of 5,700 cubic metres is being built. Sewer capacity will also be increased at Peel Green Road to lower the risk of flooding in the area.
Environmental assessments have been requested for both treatment sites to ensure the projects meet regulatory standards.
Overall, these investments will help the system cope with population growth and stricter environmental requirements, leading to long-term improvements in water quality.
Chris Borradaile, Wastewater Services Director at United Utilities, said the company understands how important clean water is for communities in the North West and is working quickly to deliver these projects. He added that this is one of the most significant upgrades ever carried out in Salford and will bring clear environmental benefits.
He said: “We know how important improving water quality across the North West is to our customers. That’s why we’re working at pace to deliver schemes like these across the region. This is one of the biggest upgrades we’ve ever delivered to the wastewater network in Salford and will have a positive impact on the water quality in Salteye Brook and the Manchester Ship Canal.”
These works form part of United Utilities’ wider £13 billion ‘Big North West Upgrade’, a long-term programme that aims to modernise infrastructure, replace ageing pipes, reduce water leakage to record-low levels and protect more than 500 kilometres of rivers and bathing waters. By 2030, the company aims to cut the use of storm overflows by 60%.
The projects will be delivered through a new collaborative model, bringing United Utilities together with seven design and construction partners working as a single integrated team.
