£525m wastewater upgrade coming to Salford

United Utilities has outlined ambitions for £225m-worth of improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment works and £300m to Eccles’ over the next five years.

The work is geared towards reducing storm overflows and increasing the resilience of the sewage network – two goals that should improve the area’s water conditions.

The Salford wastewater treatment works proposals include the addition of a treatment process that will further reduce the amount of ammonia and phosphorus in treated water prior to it going into the Manchester Ship Canal.

The Eccles plans comprise the adding of an 60,000 cubic metre capacity underground tank with pumping station and a separate 5,700 cubic metre underground tank by M60 and Liverpool Road.  These should reduce storm overflow spills into Salteye Brook and the Manchester Ship Canal.

EIA scoping opinions for both projects are due soon, with United Utilities hoping to commence construction in 2027 and complete the project in March 2030.

In the more immediate future, a new pipeline is being installed at Peel Green Road to improve the sewer capacity there. This £2m project will start in March.

“We know how important improving water quality across the North West is to our customers,” said Chris Borradaile, wastewater services director at United Utilities.

“That’s why we’re working at pace to deliver schemes like these across the region,” he continued.

“This is one of the biggest upgrades we’ve ever delivered to the wastewater network in Salford and will have a positive impact on the water quality in Salteye Brook and the Manchester Ship Canal.”

The Salford plans are part of United Utilities £13bn Big North West Upgrade Programme, which aims to reduce storm overflows by 60% by 2030. Other projects in the programme include £350m upgrades to wastewater treatment in Trafford, a new reservoir by Warburton, and £50m improvements to Wigan’s sewers.