Davyhulme wastewater treatment works is set to undergo an initial investment of around £350 million over the next five years to ensure it meets the needs of a growing population and higher environmental standards that will improve water quality in the Manchester Ship Canal.

Situated next to the M60 at Barton Bridge, the site, which first opened in 1894, is one of the biggest wastewater treatment works in the UK. The works drains the entire western side of Manchester, from Chadderton in the north to Bramhall in the south.

A planning application for the first phase of works will see a new building created that will house the latest technology to reduce the amounts of phosphorus in the treated wastewater that is returned to environment. Further improvements in the coming years, will also see reductions to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).

The work will include the decommissioning and demolition of old assets with a phased approach being taken to the projects on site to ensure that it can continue to operate 24 hours a day.

The site’s bioresources power generation centre is also set to be expanded and modernised as part of the plans. United Utilities has recently joined forces with leading Cambridge-based climate tech firm Levidian to demonstrate the opportunity for biogas produced from wastewater to create hydrogen and super-material graphene at the Bioresources centre at the works.

All the planned development over the next ten years will take place on the current footprint of the site.

Davyhulme was the birthplace of the modern wastewater treatment process that is now in use all around the world. This process was discovered in 1913 by two engineers, Edward Arden and W.T. Lockett who were conducting research for the Manchester Corporation Rivers Department.

Andrew Cunliffe, Wastewater Business Lead for Greater Manchester at United Utilities, said:

“Many people won’t realise the significance of Davyhulme and the part it has played in pioneering modern sewerage techniques. This huge investment over the next ten years will ensure we continue to meet the demands of the city’s growing population whilst improving water quality in the Manchester Ship Canal.”

All phases are subject to any necessary planning permissions being secured.

The works at Davyhulme are being delivered through United Utilities new Enterprise delivery model which brings together seven design and construction partners, plus United Utilities, into one integrated team.