Member Article

United Utilities launches scheme to clean up watercourse

A £1.2m scheme is set to transform a St Helens watercourse into the cleanest it has been for generations.

United Utilities will start work later this month on the project which will stop untreated wastewater entering Rainford Brook in the town.

At the moment, when heavy rain hits the area, the sewer system has what is called a combined sewer overflow, which acts as a safety valve, allowing the rainwater to escape into the watercourse, rather than it forcing itself onto roads or homes. This rainwater can also be mixed with sewage.

This scheme will see a 10m x 4m underground chamber built below Washway Lane. When it rains heavily, the tank will hold the wastewater, before screening it and letting it into the brook via a screen, which will catch all the solids.

The project will take around six months to complete and Washway Lane will need to be closed for much of this time. A 75m section will be closed between the BOC Factory and Scafell Road.

Matt Parr, United Utilities Project Co-ordinator, said: “This work is great news for the environment of St Helens. It will really improve Rainford Brook’s eco-system, encouraging wildlife in the area.

“Sadly, there is a downside to the work. Our only option is to work in the middle of carriageway, where the existing sewer system is located, and it will cause disruption for motorists.”

Matt added: “We hope people appreciate the importance of this scheme and that we will be off site as soon as possible.”

Working closely with St Helens Council, the project team will need to close Washway Lane from Monday, September 23 to Friday, November 29, when it will be reopened during the Christmas period.

It will close again on Monday, January7th until early Spring. A clearly-signed diversion will be in place via City Road.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .