United Utilities to upgrade Bolton wastewater treatment works

United Utilities will be starting work next week on a £110m project to improve Bolton wastewater treatment works. 

As part of its plans to improve the water quality in the River Irwell, the company will be making a number of changes to the site off Red Rock Lane. 

To meet growing demand from the Bolton area, United Utilities will be increasing the capacity of the works to allow it to treat 20% more wastewater.  The increase in capacity will also reduce the amount of times that the storm overflow operates in periods of heavy rain. 

There will be major enhancements to the treatment processes at the works to use more innovative technology to treat the wastewater to a higher standard.  The storm overflow outfall pipe will also be relocated as part of the project. 

The full improvements will be operational by April 2025 with landscaping completed by the end of that year. 

As part of the works there will be some traffic management in place on Red Rock Lane and there will be temporary footpath diversions in place for pedestrians as well. 

Further projects will take place at Bury and Rossendale wastewater treatment works that together with the works at Bolton will improve the water quality along a 47km stretch of the River Irwell.

As part of its draft business plan for the period 2025 – 2030, United Utilities is also proposing to invest a record £13.7 billion to deliver cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and extra support for customers struggling with bills in the North West.

The regulator will review the proposals and give its draft response by June 2024.  The final plans will be agreed by December 2024.