Work starts on project to improve water quality in the Dee Estuary

United Utilities has started work on a project in Caldy in the Wirral that will improve the water quality in the Dee Estuary. 

The North West’s water company is spending £1.3m to reduce the number of times the storm overflow has to operate in the area during periods of heavy rain.

The project will see more capacity created in the sewer network to cope with periods of heavy rainfall. 

The work is being carried out on a private track on Long Hey Road.  As a result of the work, the path will be closed for around 12 weeks with access to fields and properties maintained via an alternative route.

This is one of a number of storm overflow projects across the region that United Utilities has secured accelerated funding from Ofwat to make an early start on. 

As part of its draft business plan for the period 2025 – 2030, the company 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.