United Utilities investing £14.5m to improve the River Irk

United Utilities has started work on installing the latest technology at its Castleton WwTw to help improve a stretch of Trub Brook and the River Irk

Water quality in Trub Brook and the River Irk in Castleton is set to improve, thanks to a new project by United Utilities. 

The North West’s water company has started work on installing the latest technology at its Castleton wastewater treatment works to help improve a 5km stretch of Trub Brook and the River Irk. The £14.5m project will help boost the ecological status of that part of the river to “good.”

The technology being installed will improve the quality of the final effluent that is returned to the environment from the treatment works.  The project is expected to be completed later this summer. 

Paul Lowndes from United Utilities, said: “It’s fantastic to see that work is underway on this really important project.  These improvements will make a real difference to the water quality on this stretch of Trub Brook and the River Irk - providing a better environment for everyone to enjoy.   

“This project is part of our wider commitment to improve 184km of waterways across the region over the next two years.”

As part of its Better Rivers; Better North West campaign, United Utilities has committed to reduce the number of spills from storm overflows by at least a third, between 2020 and 2025. This will be supported through a £230m investment programme at sites across the region, leading to 184km of improved waterways.