Water quality in the River Darwen set to benefit from United Utilities’ latest project

United Utilities is investing £5m in its latest project to improve river water quality in Lancashire.

The project will see two underground stormwater tanks created in the Coupe Green and Gregson Lane area of South Ribble. Together the tanks will have a capacity of more than 400,000 litres of water – the equivalent of around 3,000 bathtubs.

The first tank will be located at the junction of Daub Hall Lane and Hoghton Lane. Ground investigation work is set to start in mid-March as part of these, a temporary road closure will be in place on Daub Hall Lane during the Easter holidays. The 12-month construction programme is set to get underway in the summer.

A second tank will also be constructed in the Gregson Lane area with the final location yet to be confirmed.

The additional storage will reduce storm overflows into Many Brooks and Black Brook, both tributaries of the River Darwen which flows into the River Ribble.

Simon Holding, Head of Wastewater Treatment Services for United Utilities in Lancashire explained: “Finding the right location for this underground infrastructure is challenging and we have been planning this project for a long time. We have kept in touch with local residents to keep them informed about our plans and we will be holding a drop-in information session later in the Spring.”

The tanks will act as holding areas for the extra rainwater that enters the sewer network during times of heavy rainfall – this means the sewer network doesn’t get overwhelmed and the need for storm overflows to operate is reduced.

The project is part of United Utilities’ 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.

Across Lancashire, United Utilities continues to deliver a range of projects from infrastructure improvements to sustainable drainage schemes, upgrades at its wastewater treatment works and riverside tree planting schemes, which are enhancing water quality in the River Ribble and its tributaries.