From flush to finish: Holmes Chapel Girl Guides visit local wastewater treatment works

Eighteen keen learners from a local girl guides group visited Holmes Chapel wastewater treatment works to discover more about how United Utilities processes waste, and what they can do to help at home.

On Wednesday 11 June, eighteen guides from Holmes Chapel Guides aged between ten to fourteen met with United Utilities’ dedicated wastewater team for Cheshire, on site at Holmes Chapel wastewater treatment works. The visitors were there to learn what goes into processing the three Ps, and discovered more on how United Utilities is leading the way on innovative engineering solutions to future proof water treatment on their tour of the site.

Starting with the raw flow entering the site via sewer inlets, the treatment process (and the innovative solutions to breaking down), from separating the waste, to the final effluent leaving site via an outfall to the river. They also learned how some of the final product can be used for green energy solutions, or as agricultural fertiliser for local farmers to use on their land. They were also able to compare water samples from the moment it enters the site, to the end of the process highlighting just how much goes into getting it right.

The young ladies also learned about possible career opportunities in STEM, hearing from two female Production Managers for wastewater treatment works at Crewe and Macclesfield. Lucy Fearnyough and Harley Rathbone told them all about the day job, and how the girls can help with the Stop the Block campaign, advocating for our pipes on what not to flush. 

Talking about her varied career at the water company, Harley said: “I joined United Utilities as a Water Quality Officer after completing a degree in Architecture, and was fortunate enough to then go on to complete a Chartered Business Management Degree Apprenticeship to develop my skills, funded by United Utilities. I was fascinated with learning more about the treatment process, and I was lucky enough to be seconded to the Northwich wastewater operational team as a Technical Officer.

“I loved the dynamic environment of wastewater operations and sought to utilise my knowledge and management experience by applying for roles as a Production Manager. Today I am responsible for managing the Macclesfield production area and enjoy coming to work every day, learning something new and working with some brilliant people.”

Sean Reid, County Business Lead for Wastewater in Cheshire added: “it was absolutely fantastic to welcome the girls to Holmes Chapel wastewater treatment works to learn more about what happens to the waste that enters the site, and how it leaves us. They got to see our site working in real-time to process, treat and dispose of the final product, and they asked some really interesting questions on the way around.

“We really enjoyed their visit and hope they did too – who knows – there could be a career at United Utilities with their name on it!”