United Utilities transform area larger than 2,200 football pitches with woodland creation and peatland preservation

New woodlands have been created and peatlands improved across an area larger than 2,200 football pitches at United Utilities’ sites across the North West.

Since October, more than 50,000 trees have been planted and allowed to naturally regenerate across more than 140 hectares at sites in Lancashire and Cumbria.

Peatland restoration work has also been carried out at sites in across Greater Manchester, Cumbria and Lancashire with more than 1,560 hectares benefitting from restoration work.

Together this equates to a combined area larger than 2,200 football pitches. Woodlands and healthy peatlands provide numerous benefits to both communities and wildlife.

As well as acting like giant natural filtration systems which improve water quality, they support natural flood management by storing more water in the landscape for longer and slowing the flow of rainwater that runs off the hills.

Jim Airton, Estates and Land Manager at United Utilities said: “Both healthy peatlands and woodlands provide numerous benefits for our customers and the environment of the North West.

“They capture carbon from the atmosphere and enhance natural drainage. These natural filtration systems also reduce sediment in the water which means they are excellent at improving the quality of water that runs off the land into rivers, streams and our reservoirs.

“Holding water in the land for longer boosts biodiversity by creating a tapestry of different habitats for plants and wildlife to flourish and makes the land more resilient to dry spells and drought.”

Nature-based solutions are also helping United Utilities improve its operational resilience.

Jim Airton added: “Slowing the flow not only protects natural waterways, it also reduces stress on urban drainage systems.

“We’re working across our estate, and with partners on a range of biodiversity-enhancing projects ranging from tree planting and peatland restoration to urban rainwater management schemes.”

It comes as United Utilities is making progress on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure across 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.