United Utilities supports Chapel Brook restoration project with equipment donation

Marton Parish Council’s ongoing efforts to restore and protect Chapel Brook have received a welcome boost thanks to an equipment donation from United Utilities’ Community Fund.

The Parish’s environmental group, led by volunteers, has been working hard to deliver its environmental action plan to improve Chapel Brook, a historical watercourse flowing through the Cheshire village of Marton.

This summer, United Utilities donated a set of water quality testing kits to support the parish’s renewed focus on the brook’s ecological health. These kits will allow the group to monitor important indicators such as pH levels and invertebrate presence, crucial data which can help track pollution sources and guide restoration efforts.

Some decades ago, Chapel Brook was heavily polluted, resulting in the loss of species such as brown trout, freshwater mussels, kingfishers and water voles. While signs of recovery are looking promising, the presence of historic mill structures on the River Dane continues to limit natural fish migration.

Earlier this month, water testing equipment was handed over by United Utilities to help the community group gather accurate water quality data that can strengthen conservation efforts and guide future improvements.

John Percival, Environmental Warden for Marton Parish Council, commented: “Some years ago, we established an action plan centred on hedge planting, tree planting, orchard replacement, litter management for the overall improvement of Chapel Brook. We’ve had success with most of these aims, but we were keen to focus our efforts on the water quality of the brook itself.

“This donation of testing kits from United Utilities is a real step forward, it gives us the tools to understand what’s happening in the brook to make necessary improvements. It would be great to see kingfishers, minnows and trout back in the brook, and with this donation, we are moving in the right direction.”

Emma Birch, Area Engagement Lead for Cheshire at United Utilities, added: “We’re proud to support Marton Parish Council’s efforts to improving Chapel Brook. Water quality testing is a vital part of understanding, protecting and improving our local watercourses.

“It’s great to see such dedicated local action, and we look forward to seeing what the group can achieve with this new capability.”

The United Utilities' Community Fund provides up to £2,500 to projects that focus on:

• Local watercourses
• Environmental wellbeing
• Sustainable drainage
  
  

Community groups that are interested in applying for support can email: Stakeholderrelations@uuplc.co.uk.