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Enhancing UK drinking water resilience

As part of our approach to creating more resilient drinking water resources, regulators require all water companies to review how water resources could be safeguarded to meet future challenges created by intensive weather events, a growing population and housing development growth. To ensure that everyone has equal access to the water they need now and in the future, we need to look for new water sources where we can, and optimise the way we manage those that we already have.

As part of this nationally driven programme, with the Environment Agency and other water companies, United Utilities would need to develop new water sources in the North West to ensure that we can continue to provide a reliable water supply to our customers. 

River Bollin under consideration

Following an extensive review of potential options and in consultation with the Environment Agency, one of the new sources of water being considered is the River Bollin. This would involve an abstraction point to take water out of the River Bollin, transfer pipelines, a new Water Treatment Works and a storage reservoir to be constructed to provide an additional water supply into the Altrincham and wider area. 

This scheme is at an early stage (please see timeline below), and we are currently undertaking assessments and talking to stakeholders, ahead of submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment scoping document to the local authority, Trafford Council.

Map of the boundary impacted

Before the scheme can progress, key assessments need to be undertaken in consultation with key stakeholders and regulators. There will be opportunities to feedback on this scheme as it develops, and we will keep you updated on its progress. If you are impacted by these proposed plans, you will already have heard from us. 

2025 - 2026

Engagement with stakeholders and consultations. The EIA Scoping document will be submitted.

2027

Planning application submitted to local authority and continued stakeholder engagement.

2029

Subject to approval construction to begin in 2029.

2033

Scheme operational and construction complete.

The timeline above shows the main milestones to be reached before any water would be taken from the River Bollin to support the resilience of the local water supply network.

Frequently asked questions

  • The scheme would develop additional water sources and increase the resilience and reliability of supply of water to customers.

  • Our water resources need to be resilient for the future because:

    • Our population is growing
    • Our economy is growing
    • Our climate is changing
    • We need to increase our resilience against droughts

    We are working alongside other water companies to tackle water supply challenges proactively. Our goal is to develop sustainable solutions now that will benefit everyone and reduce the need for restrictions on water supplies in the future.

  • Water resource management plans

    The Water Act 2003 requires that all water companies in England and Wales prepare and maintain Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs), which are our roadmaps for ensuring a reliable water supply for the future and must be revised every 5 years. They set out how we will work with other water companies to ensure enough water is available to everyone. Following government approval, United Utilities published its latest WRMP in December 2024.

  • We looked at a range of options, but we chose the River Bollin because following assessments made by United Utilities and the Environment Agency, it is the best option when we consider things like:

    • Cost and benefit to our customers
    • Engineering risks
    • Environmental impacts
    • How they would impact our local communities

  • If planning permission is granted and all the forthcoming site investigations and assessments prove successful, then the scheme proposes a new abstraction point to take water from the River Bollin before the river flows into the downstream Manchester Ship Canal and River Mersey.

    The scheme would require construction of an abstraction point, water treatment works and pipelines, the exact locations of which will be confirmed through further investigations and stakeholder engagement including with landowners, the environment agency and local communities.

    Below is the scheme’s scoping boundary. We are looking at locations in this area, and we’ve contacted the relevant stakeholders to discuss what this means for them.

    Map of the boundary impacted

  • When looking for the best place to put an abstraction point, we consider many important factors. These include:

    • Environmental impact
    • Land availability
    • Flood risks
    • Access for construction and maintenance
    • River characteristics
    • Long-term river changes

    This holistic approach ensures we're making an informed decision that balances our community's water needs with protection of the environment.

    We'll continue to refine our plans, engage with local communities and environmental regulators and experts to ensure we're making the best decision for both our water supply and the River Bollin ecosystem. 

  • We care about our local environment. That's why we're:

    • Carrying out detailed environmental assessments to understand local wildlife, habitats and environmental features, to help us work out how we can protect these  
    • Working closely with regulators like the Environment Agency and Natural England
    • Doing lots of surveys and monitoring so that our assessments are based on the best possible information

    • We're still working out the exact route for pipelines and where to put the water treatment works and abstraction point. We'll be undertaking further assessments, and talking to local stakeholders about this.
    • We’ll be submitting a scoping report to Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council in summer 2025, a short while after which they will respond with their scoping opinion.
    • There will be a community consultation in late 2025.
    • We aim to submit a planning application in 2027.
    • Further surveys and assessments will continue up until the planning application is submitted.
    • If approved, construction would begin in 2029. The scheme wouldn't be up and running before 2033.

     

     

  • We'll keep this page updated as the project progresses.