United Utilities announces £4.5m investment to improve water quality in the River Irk in Crumpsall

A £4.5m project is underway to improve water quality in the River Irk at a site in Crumpsall.

United Utilities is building a new storage tank to hold storm water at a site near Delaunays Road in the town. 

By increasing storage capacity and improving the resilience of the wastewater network, the scheme will help reduce the number of times that the storm overflow operates during periods of heavy rainfall.

The new tank will hold 400m³ of storm water – that’s more than one and a half public swimming pools.  Enabling works have started at the site ahead of the main construction beginning in May and the project is scheduled to be completed by June 2027.

Chris Borradaile Wastewater Services Director for United Utilities, said: “This investment in Crumpsall is about improving the water quality in the River Irk. The additional storage will help us to reduce the number of times that the storm overflow operates – something our customers have told us they want to see.”

This project is one of many across Greater Manchester as United Utilities deliver the largest programme of water and wastewater investment for a century across the region. The company is investing more than £13bn before 2030 to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters, while safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.