The £13.7 billion investment plan outlined by United Utilities is the most ambitious that the water company has ever set out to achieve.
Between 2025 and 2030, it will help the region become stronger, greener and healthier, with a commitment to 'go further and do better' for both the environment and the people of the north west.
The plan sets out the biggest investment in water infrastructure for more than 100 years. Across the region, the plan will support an additional 7,000 jobs, halve the chance of future hosepipe bans, ensure sustainable water supplies, and double financial support for the one in six customers who are struggling to pay.
Feedback from people in Greater Manchester has helped shape the plan, with the need to improve river water quality as a clear priority.
Out on Greater Manchester’s waterways, a team of River Rangers is already taking action to support river health and reduce the impact of storm overflows. The plan targets improvements along 82km of the Mersey, Irk and Irwell, with reductions in spills from 105 storm overflows.
To support this there’s also a programme of sustainable rainwater management solutions, totalling £146 million, which will be carried out in collaboration with stakeholders including Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the National Trust.
With wastewater from 2.8 million people across Greater Manchester being treated each day, the plan also outlines the rebuilding of Salford wastewater treatment works and developing the cutting-edge, low-energy carbon hub at Davyhulme.
When it comes to ensuring sustainable water supplies, the plan includes the £1 billion Haweswater Aqueduct refurbishment programme, as well as tackling leakage in the network.
For those facing difficulties with their household finances, support packages will help more than 113,000 customers in Greater Manchester with their water bills, and around 1,300 people will be employed in the area, including apprentices and graduates.
Louise Beardmore, United Utilities' CEO, said: “This proposal is the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in more than 100 years, and we’ve been listening carefully to our customers in Greater Manchester to ensure we shape these plans in a way that addresses the things that matter most to them.
“We’ve set out how we aim to go further and faster when it comes to environmental performance, reliability in keeping taps flowing, and supporting customers.
“Our ambitious plan is positive news for the economy with the creation of more skilled jobs; positive news for our customers through our £525 million affordability package; and positive news for the environment with a target to reduce storm overflow operation by more than 60 per cent by 2030.
“This plan will help make Greater Manchester greener, healthier and stronger.”
To read the full plan and sign up to an online Your Water, Your Say event, visit: pr24.unitedutilities.com
