United Utilities' massive new underground storage tunnel system at Preston protected the town against flash floods which resulted from a torrential downpour on Tuesday.
For the first time since United Utilities’ massive 3.5km long underground storage tunnel was switched on, engineers from United Utilities had the chance to see it fully tested this week when heavy rain led to flash flooding in Preston.
The new underground storage tunnel, capable of holding 40 million litres of storm water which took four years to construct was working at full capacity.
During the height of the storm the tunnel was pumping 1,500 litres of storm water per second to Preston Wastewater Treatment Works.
Louisa Simpson-Brown, from United Utilities commented:
“We really saw once again the environmental benefits the tunnel is having, by storing storm water which otherwise would have spilled from outfalls at Preston docks into the river.”
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.