New scheme starts to improve water quality in the Walney Channel

United Utilities has today started on another project in Barrow to help improve water quality in the Walney Channel.

The company is building a storage tank in a car park next to the Tally Ho pub in the town.  The project will reduce the number of times that the storm overflow operates during periods heavy rain. 

A storage tank capable of holding more than 1300m3 of stormwater will be built at the site and the company expects the work to be completed in 2028. 

The project is part of United Utilities’ major investment plans for the wastewater network in Barrow. The £100m investment will help upgrade 21 storm overflows across nine locations in the area, helping to reduce spills and enhance water quality in the Walney Channel, Irish Sea, and Morecambe Bay.

Work is already underway at sites off Flass Lane and Ferry in the area with four further projects set to start in the coming months. 

Fiona Edmondson, Regional Delivery Manager for United Utilities, said: “We’re making great progress on our plans to improve water quality in the Walney Channel.  This storm tank will be the third project underway in the area as we work hard to cut the number of times that storm overflows operate.”

It comes as United Utilities is making great progress on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in the North West for a century.  The company is spending more than £13bn to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.