United Utilities unveils plans for investment in Partington to improve water quality

United Utilities has unveiled plans to upgrade its wastewater treatment works in Partington to improve water quality.

The North West’s water company is investing more than £15m on the site near Lock Lane over the next five years and this week submitted an environmental impact assessment screening request to the council for the works.

The work will improve water quality in Red Brook and the Manchester Ship canal by further reducing the amount of phosphorous, ammonia and BOD in the treated wastewater that is returned to the environment.

New storage is also being created at the site which help to reduce the number of times that the storm overflow operates during periods of heavy rain. 

Enabling works are expected to start this month with the main construction planned to take place between 2026 and 2028.  The company is working with its contractors to ensure that any potential disruption to the local community is mitigated.

Chris Borradaile, Wastewater Services Director at United Utilities, said: “We know how important improving water quality across the region is to our customers.  This scheme at our works in Partington will ensure we’re treating wastewater to even higher standards whilst also reducing the number of times that the storm overflow operates, which will benefit Red Brook and the Manchester Ship Canal.”

Elsewhere in Trafford, United Utilities has recently received planning permission for the first phase of a project to upgrade its wastewater treatment works in Davyhulme.

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.

The works will be delivered through United Utilities’ new Enterprise delivery model, bringing together United Utilities and seven design and construction partners as one integrated team