Learn how United Utilities are planning to improve water quality

United Utilities is offering people the chance to find out more about its plans to improve water quality in the River Yarrow this week.

The water company for the North West is set to start work on a £10 million investment project to create two new underground stormwater tanks in land next to Southlands High School, Chorley.

The two-year project is set to get underway in August and will see two new underground storage tanks created in the grassland area to the south of the school. Tank one will be 2000m3, 11.50m deep and 20m diameter, while tank two will be slightly smaller at 1662m3, 10.5m deep and 20m diameter.

Each tank will be connected to each other by an underground shaft. Together they will have a combined capacity of more than 3.6 million litres of water – that’s almost the equivalent of one and a half Olympic sized swimming pools.

The additional storage will reduce storm overflows into the River Yarrow which flows into the River Ribble.

Simon Holding, County Business Lead for Wastewater Services in Lancashire explained: “These tanks act as huge holding areas for the extra rainwater that enters the sewer network during times of heavy rainfall.

“Holding it back means it isn’t all hitting the wastewater treatment works at the same time and the system is less likely to be overwhelmed.

“We know people living in the area might have questions about the works, so we encourage them to come along to a drop-in session to meet the team and find out more.”

Across Lancashire, United Utilities continues to deliver a range of projects from infrastructure improvements to riverside tree planting schemes, which are enhancing water quality in the River Ribble and its tributaries.

Drop-in sessions where people can find out more information about the project are being held between 4.30 – 7.30pm at Southlands High School on Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 July.