Upgrade for Clitheroe wastewater treatment works gets underway

United Utilities is investing £3.5m to upgrade Clitheroe’s wastewater treatment works to improve the quality of the treated water that is returned to the environment at the end of the treatment process.

An enhanced treatment process is being introduced to reduce phosphorus levels entering the Pendleton Brook, a tributary of the River Ribble.

The project is part of United Utilities’ 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.

Simon Holding, United Utilities’ business lead for wastewater services in Lancashire said: “The enhancements at Clitheroe will treat wastewater to even higher standards and reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the receiving water course at the end of the treatment process.

“Together with the investments we are making across Lancashire to reduce spills, we are making a step-change to deliver outcomes that benefit the environment and the communities we serve.”

Work is now underway and is due to be completed in Spring 2026.