United Utilities is pressing ahead with existing schemes under its AMP4 2005-2010 work programme.
Over the next three weekends the company is working to renew old cast-iron water mains as part on an ongoing scheme to improve Warrington town centre's water supply.The work will be carried out on United Utilities' behalf by Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions.
John Nock, United Utilities' Project Manager, said:
"For many years the town's pipes have done a great job serving water to the taps of local homes and businesses, but as the town has expanded and developed in recent years so must its water network.
"The new plastic pipes will ensure that high-quality water supplies will continue to be on tap throughout the rest of the 21st century and beyond."
Other works include the replacement of Southport's old water mains with new ones. Work to alleviate sewer flooding affecting homes in the Ribble Valley also gets under way this week. The water company is spending £995,000 to construct an underground storage tank and install new sewers and manholes to protect homes which are affected by persistent sewer flooding.
Mark Clinton, United Utilities' Project Co-ordinator on the Ribble Valley scheme, said:
"The underground storage tank - which is 12.5m in diameter and 11m deep - is designed to capture excess water during periods of heavy rainfall and prevent it from overwhelming the local sewer system, which can cause flooding to nearby homes.
"Our work to install 50m of new sewer pipework, three chambers and associated manholes will also contribute towards alleviating this very unpleasant problem."
The schemes are part of United Utilities' £2.9 billion water quality and environmental improvement programme for 2005-2010.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.