United Utilities starts £4.5m scheme in Castleton

United Utilities has started work on a £4.5m project in Castleton near Rochdale to improve water quality in Trub Brook and the River Irk. 

The North West’s water company is building a storage tank at its wastewater treatment works in Castleton.  The tank is 1800m3 and will help reduce the number of times that the storm overflow at the site operates during periods of heavy rain. 

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.  It will build on improvemenradits made at the site in 2023 when the latest technology was installed to improve the quality of the treated wastewater that is returned the environment.

Chris Borradaile, Wastewater Services Director for Greater Manchester, said: “We know how important improving water quality across the region is to our customers.  Projects like these at our treatment works in Castleton will make a real difference as we work at pace to cut the number of times storm overflows operate.”

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