£10m investment begins in St Helens to reduce storm overflows and improve river quality

United Utilities has started work on two projects that will improve river water quality in St Helens.

The North West’s water company is investing a combined £10m on two storm tank schemes that will increase sewer capacity in St Helens, reducing the number of times that the storm overflows operate and improving water quality.

Over the past year work has been taking place in Hawes Avenue near to Carr Mill Road and the East Lancs Road Junction. Work included removing trees, completing surveys and digging some trial holes to facilitate construction works.

Teams have this week started to install an underground storm water storage tank on Hawes Avenue to help reduce the number of times that the storm overflow operates at Carr Mill.  This will help improve the water quality in Black Brook.

United Utilities is also working on a second project at the nearby Gaskell Street, building a second underground storm water storage tank to reduce spills into Sutton Brook.

The company is working with St Helens Council to reinstate the kickabout football pitch on site with work expected to be completed in Summer 2026.