Eastham upgrade already half way there

Our Eastham project which aims to significantly improve how flooding is managed at Mayfield Pumping Station, has now reached its halfway milestone.

During periods of heavy rainfall, the local sewer network can come under increased pressure. To help manage this, we’re installing a new 500m³ storage tank that will temporarily hold excess flows during storms, reducing the need for the CSO to operate by an estimated 90%. This means the number of spills is expected to fall from around 100 per year to just 10.

But it doesn’t stop there. The project will also deliver environmental improvements for the Eastham community by adding greener spaces for people to enjoy. These improvements will help support both the physical and mental wellbeing of local residents while creating a more sustainable environment for future generations.

Steve Kenyon, County Business Lead for Wastewater in Merseyside, said, “This investment will build resilience into the system, ensuring our network can better cope with heavy rainfall while improving water quality in the River Mersey.

“The storage tank and pumping station upgrades at Mayfield are part of a wider programme of work we’re delivering across Wirral and Merseyside to modernise wastewater infrastructure and reduce the use of storm overflows.

“We are investing more than £375m over the next four years to reduce operations from 20 storm overflows across the Liverpool City region, with £60m being spent in Wirral alone.”

The project is set to be completed in March 2027, as part of our £13 billion project to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters, while safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.