United Utilities delivers £20 million Congleton upgrades to improve water quality in the River Dane

United Utilities has invested £20 million upgrading the wastewater treatment works in Congleton, improving the quality of water returning to the River Dane, protecting wildlife and reducing its overall environmental impact.

Plans to improve and enhance the site’s infrastructure began in May 2022 and is set to complete this month, with the old assets set to be decommissioned by March 2025. The investment will reduce phosphorous and other nutrients from the water that is released from the facility at the end of the treatment process.

Power upgrades, new activated sludge plants and final settlement tanks, as well as chemical dosing have been delivered as part of the funding, with further investment from 2025-2030 to increase storm capacity at the site. This will enhance monitoring capability to reduce the number of times storm overflows operate in heavy rainfall.

Sean Reid, County Business Lead for Wastewater Services - Cheshire at United Utilities said:

“United Utilities is committed to improving its environmental impact across the North West by investing in our wastewater treatment works and storm capacity infrastructure.

“That’s why we have proposed the largest environmental investment in a century right across our region over the next five years driving improvements and transforming over 500km of waterways in the North West.”

Sean continues:

“Our River Ranger teams support local groups to deliver activities that care for and improve river environments. River Rangers have been involved in the Congleton Hydro Project, donating £2,500 worth of equipment to the cause, and are a key link into our rural residents promoting sustainable drainage options.

“Our ambitious work at Congleton highlights our commitment to protecting and enhancing water quality in our rivers, and we will continue to openly engage with our partners and the local communities to further improve this.”

Storm overflows operate when there has been very heavy rain and combined sewers are inundated with rainwater. At these times, overflows act as a safety valve that stops water flooding homes and businesses – a design choice made 150 years ago, but one that needs a modern solution and investment.

The River Dane is tributary of the River Weaver and is fed into by 17 waterbodies with a combined length of c.200km. United Utilities have 29 wastewater treatment sites operating in the Dane catchment, treating c.60 million litres of sewage a day.

Between 2025 and 2030, United Utilities plan to invest in four storm overflows in the Congleton area, which will reduce spills into the River Dane. These improvements include increasing storm capacity at Congleton wastewater treatment works and network improvements at Berisfords Compound Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), Bromley/Coronation Road CSO and Bromley Road CSO.