United Utilities announces £30m scheme to reduce flooding

Work to build the largest underground storm tank in Merseyside is due to start in Liverpool later this month.

United Utilities is investing £30m to build the storage tank at Wavertree Park to help reduce the risk of flooding in the local area.

The underground tank will hold 5.5 million litres of rainwater - that’s the equivalent of more than two Olympic sized swimming pools.

The North West’s water company is set to complete survey and ground investigation this month, with engineering works starting in early 2026.

United Utilities is working with Liverpool City Council to ensure as much access to the park as possible is maintained for the public during the construction works.  The tank is due to be completed, and the section of park re-instated, in 2028.

Steve Kenyon, Wastewater Business Lead for Merseyside at United Utilities, said: “We know there are long standing issues of surface water flooding in the area.  This scheme at Wavertree Park will help to alleviate some of this by storing rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall. 

“We’re also continuing to work with a number of partners to look at how else flooding can be reduced in the area.”

To ease congestion and safeguard trees at the entrance adjacent to Grant Avenue and Smithdown Road, a new entrance is set to be built for construction traffic and ongoing tank maintenance.

The investment comes as United Utilities embarks on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure for a century. 

The company will be spending more than £13bn over the next five years to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.