United Utilities speeds up spill programme

United Utilities is supercharging its spill reduction schedule, adding a further 700 sites to its work programme.

The company said a dedicated team of 500 engineers and data scientists are in place to deliver the work. This will involve building more storm water storage capacity; enlarging wastewater treatment works with modular units; removing surface and ground water from the network; creating nature-based solutions such as reed beds and swales to improve filtration and treatment; and using AI and predictive analytics to optimise operations.

Louise Beardmore, chief executive of United Utilities, said: “Customers and regulators have made it clear that they want us to go as fast as we can, and we have been working in the background sourcing ideas and solutions. We have been accessing some of the best innovation from across the world to see what more we can do, and that’s why we’re able to commit today to a further acceleration that will see us making interventions at an additional 700 sites across the North West. Together with our business plan, today’s announcement will see us making improvements at over 1,100 sites by 2030 and spending a total of £500m on accelerated wastewater service improvements.

“That’s a massive commitment and one that will help to deliver the step change that customers, stakeholders and regulators want to see. We have mobilised our supply chain and engaged some of the best engineering and construction teams. We are accelerating environmental programmes in communities across the region where we are innovating to find quicker and more immediate solutions and fast-tracking investment to drive improvements.”