United Utilities starts £3m investment at Thornton Hough wastewater treatment works

United Utilities has started work at its Thornton Hough wastewater treatment works to build a new stormwater storage tank. This will reduce the frequency of storm overflow activations in the area and improve water quality in the nearby waterbody of the Dibbinsdale Brook and Clatter Brook.

The 900m3 tank will be installed within the Wastewater Treatment Works to reduce building work impacts on the local community and will collect excess stormwater in periods of heavy rainfall.

The work started in November 2025 and will complete in late 2026. Land adjacent to the wastewater site will also be used as a compound area while works are completed.

The North West’s water company will be transforming the water and wastewater infrastructure across the region with the largest investment in a century. The work will protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.