United Utilities has unveiled plans for a £525m investment in wastewater infrastructure across Salford and Eccles over the next five years, marking one of the most significant upgrades to the local sewer network in decades.
The programme allocates £225m to improvements at Salford’s wastewater treatment works and a further £300m to Eccles, with both schemes focused on reducing storm overflows and strengthening network resilience. Together, the projects aim to deliver measurable improvements in water quality across the area’s rivers and canals.
At Salford wastewater treatment works, proposals include the introduction of an additional treatment process designed to further reduce ammonia and phosphorus levels in treated effluent before discharge into the Manchester Ship Canal. The enhanced treatment stage is intended to improve compliance and support wider environmental objectives linked to river health and biodiversity.
In Eccles, the plans are centred on major underground storage infrastructure. United Utilities intends to construct a 60,000 cubic metre capacity underground tank complete with a new pumping station, alongside a separate 5,700 cubic metre underground tank near the M60 and Liverpool Road. These assets are designed to capture and store excess flows during heavy rainfall events, significantly reducing the frequency of storm overflow spills into Salteye Brook and the Manchester Ship Canal.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping opinions for both schemes are expected shortly. Subject to planning and regulatory approvals, construction is targeted to begin in 2027, with completion scheduled for March 2030.
In advance of the larger capital works, a £2m scheme is due to commence in March at Peel Green Road, where a new pipeline will be installed to increase local sewer capacity and address immediate constraints within the network.
“We know how important improving water quality across the North West is to our customers,” said Chris Borradaile, wastewater services director at United Utilities.
“That’s why we’re working at pace to deliver schemes like these across the region,” he continued.
“This is one of the biggest upgrades we’ve ever delivered to the wastewater network in Salford and will have a positive impact on the water quality in Salteye Brook and the Manchester Ship Canal.”
The Salford and Eccles works form part of United Utilities’ £13bn Big North West Upgrade Programme, a region-wide investment strategy aimed at reducing storm overflows by 60% by 2030. Other schemes within the programme include £350m of wastewater treatment upgrades in Trafford, the development of a new reservoir near Warburton, and £50m of sewer improvements in Wigan.
