United Utilities is due to start five projects over the next six months to improve water quality across Stockport.
The North West’s water company is investing £80 million in building a series of storage tanks across the borough to reduce the number of times that storm overflows operate during periods of heavy rain.
The company will build more than 19,000m3 of storage at the five sites which will help improve water quality in both Micker Brook and the River Mersey.
One of the projects started this month is at Cheadle Golf Club where a 500m3 underground tank is being constructed. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and will improve water quality in Micker Brook.
A key scheme will take place at Stockport wastewater treatment works where more than 16,700m3 of storage will be created by building multiple new storm tanks. United Utilities has this week submitted an environmental impact assessment screening request to the council for the works.
Initial work is expected to start in early 2026 and will be completed by the end of 2028. The project will improve water quality in the River Mersey.
Meanwhile, two projects are due to start in Bramhall in the new year that will also help improve water quality in Micker Brook. Work on a CSO is due to start in January 2026 and will take up to 12 months to complete. As a result of the work, a local car park will be closed for the duration of the works whilst a 1000m3 underground tank is built. A separate 320m3 tank will also be built – the work is set to start there in February 2026 and will take up to 12 months to complete.
Close to the town centre, work on a 650m3 storage tank will take place near Hope Street. Work is expected to start in Spring and be completed by the end of 2028. This will improve water quality into the River Mersey.
Chris Borradaile, Wastewater Director for United Utilities, said:
“We’re working at pace right across the region to deliver the largest investment in the wastewater network for a century. These five projects in Stockport will make a real difference to water quality in both the River Mersey and Micker Brook.”
These are the first batch of wastewater projects that will be taking place across Stockport over the next five years.
Plans to improve water quality in Keekle
United Utilities has also announced plans to improve water quality around Keekle where the company is proposing to build a new 600m3 storage tank in the village.
The tank will cut the number of times that the storm overflow in the village operates during periods of heavy rainfall and will help to improve water quality in the River Keekle.
As well as the storage tank, the company is proposing to install a new kilometre rising main that would run along Keekle Terrace.
Main construction works are expected to start in Spring 2026 with the project due to be completed in 2028.
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