The Mersey Basin Campaign was created in 1985 with a 25-year lifespan, and was charged with facilitating the clean up of the River Mersey and its tributaries in the Northwest of England.
The campaign's mission of continuous improvement in river water quality, catalysing waterside regeneration, positively engaging the public and communicating success was directly aligned with our core business interests.
The success of the partnership is demonstrated by the ongoing evidence of improved river and estuarine water quality. Salmon have once again returned to the River Bollin and been caught by the Environment Agency, with further improvements expected as our investment programme is implemented.
United Utilities was been actively engaged with the campaign since its inception in 1985. Uniquely for a government-backed initiative, it was established with a twenty-five year life appropriate to the scale of the challenge to be addressed. Its innovative approach as an inclusive partnership actively involving the public, private, voluntary and community sectors has been recognised worldwide as an exemplar of delivering sustainable development in practice. The campaign was the inaugural winner of the World Riverprize in 1999.
For more information on the campaign's legacy visit the Mersey Basin Campaign website