Sewage works expansion scheme planned

Expansion plans for wastewater treatment works in Dukinfield are on the horizon.

The sewage facility run by United Utilities could soon have two new storage tanks capable of holding 12,000 cubic metres of liquid and a new 1,200mm relief sewer. Newer technology designed to reduce the number of chemicals in our water is also planned, according to the screening report submitted to Tameside council.

The sewage treatment facility off Gate Street is already a massive operation, with the ability to handle up to 125 million litres of wastewater per day. When the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited the site last year, it was made clear that the biggest issue United Utilities faced was capacity, with increased storms and rainwater flooding their systems and leading to overflows. 

An overflow means untreated sewage gets into the waterways and more polluted rivers, something United Utilities are trying to avoid.
No official planning application has been submitted by United Utilities, but an EIA screening assessment is the initial stage of the process. The environmental impact assessment process determines whether a proposed project or development is likely to have significant environmental effects on the area.

This expansion is one of many projects planned across the region as part of a £215m investment programme. United Utilities wants to upgrade three of its treatment works in the area and reduce the number of times the 20 storm overflows are used.

The wastewater scheme is set to roll out over the next five years, with the first project set to start later in 2025. Wastewater treatment works in Ashton, Dukinfield and Hyde will receive new technology to ensure treated wastewater goes back into the borough’s waterways with reduced phosphorus and ammonia levels.

Higher levels of these chemicals can reduce overall water quality. All the planned projects are being undertaken to improve water quality in the River Tame and its tributaries of Denton Book and Swineshaw Brook.

When the project was announced last year, Chris Borradaile, wastewater services director at United Utilities, said: “We’ve got really ambitious plans for improving water quality right across Tameside over the next five years.

“By upgrading our three biggest works in the area and tackling up to 20 storm overflows, it will really help to improve the River Tame and its tributaries.”

The company intends to spend more than £13bn over the next few years to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.