United Utilities has announced that the £200 million state-of-the-art extension to its Liverpool wastewater treatment works has been officially openedby H.R.H The Princess Royal.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne first opened Liverpool wastewater treatment works in 1991 - the River Mersey had reached its low point in the mid-1980s, when it was described by the then Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Heseltine as "an affront to the standards a civilised society should demand of its environment.”

The river was famous for being known as the dirtiest river in Europe, awash with a deadly cocktail of raw sewage and toxic chemicals. Prior to being built, the city’s raw and partially treated sewage was being discharged directly into the Mersey and its tributaries. The improvement in treating wastewater had an instant impact, helping the river Mersey to flourish once again, which was key to the economic regeneration of the city.

Since then the water company has  made further investment to improve wastewater treatment the opening of the new £200 million extension to the existing treatment works will help continue the environmental improvements.

According to United Utilities, the success of the clean-up is evident. Creatures such as dolphins in Liverpool Bay are becoming a common sighting and a humpback whale was recently spotted flapping its distinctive pectoral fin. Lorne Large, United Utilities Principal Project Manager, commented:

“The extension to Liverpool treatment works means we will be able to keep the River Mersey clean well into the next century.”

Matthew Clough founder of Liverpool Bay Marine Life Trust said:

“Other species enjoying the cleaner water, include octopus, salmon, grey seals and large cod, which are being badly hit worldwide. We’re also seeing dolphin and porpoise recovery which is absolutely fantastic and even more evidence the clean-up is working.”