An £11m investment by United Utilities is helping to improve river water quality in St Helens

The company has completed work on two new underground stormwater storage tanks which together have a combined capacity of 1.4 million litres – the equivalent of around 7,800 bathtubs.

The tanks are located in St Helens, one on Gaskell Street and the other off Hawes Avenue, both are fully operational and are already delivering benefits by preventing discharges into Black Brook and Sankey Brook – both of which are tributaries of the River Mersey.

Teams are continuing to work with St Helens Council to enhance the areas around the tanks. This includes planting 13 trees to replace six that were removed during construction. Grass seeding has been completed at both sites and fencing will be removed in the next few weeks opening up the sites for the public to enjoy.

Steve Kenyon, wastewater business lead for United Utilities in Merseyside, said: “We’re pleased to see the storm tanks are already making a difference to the environment by holding excess stormwater, and improving water quality in both Black Brook and Sankey Brook. It highlights our commitment and investment in Merseyside’s future, and we look forward to working with the local authority on future schemes.”

United Utilities is currently investing more than £13 billion to protect and enhance over 500 kilometres of rivers, lakes and bathing waters, while safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.