A £48 million scheme to upgrade the sewer network in Cheshire and improve water quality in Knutsford is underway.
In the first phase, United Utilities has started building an innovative stormwater storage solution by tunnelling 1.8km of new underground pipeline from its pumping station at Moor Pool, to its wastewater treatment works in Knutsford.
At its deepest point, the tunnel will be twenty metres underground, and two metres in diameter storing up to 5.5m litres of stormwater in periods of heavy rainfall, before being treated at Knutsford wastewater treatment works.
A central compound for the tunnelling works has also been set up off Parkgate Lane, Knutsford to minimise disruption to the community.
To keep the public and staff safe, temporary traffic management and changes to pedestrian walkways will be in use throughout the project, and clearly signposted. Access to the children’s playground will be maintained.
The second phase includes a partnership approach with Natural England and Tatton Estates to undertake specialist health checks on the fish within the watercourse, before they are carefully rehomed further upstream in Peover. This will allow essential work to take place to remove built‑up sediment from a section of the river.
The removal of the sediment will help to restore the pool’s health, improve water quality and protect the wildlife that depends on it.
On completion of the works, the fish will naturally repopulate Moor Pool from downstream near Middle Pool. The project is scheduled for completion in May 2027.
The project forms part of United Utilities’ wider commitment to the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in a century across the North West.
The company will be spending more than £13bn over the next five years to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.
For more information and a link to the original article, please click here.
