North West water and wastewater group, United Utilities, has announced a £30m package of measures to make Liverpool more ‘spongy’ by transforming the way rainwater is managed.
With extreme rainfall becoming more frequent, the investment will manage water in a more sustainable way by capturing rain where it falls – slowing the flow into sewers, easing pressure on the network and helping to reduce the operation of storm overflows.
The programme will see a raft of blue-green interventions, including rain gardens, green roofs, urban wetlands and ‘greener’ playgrounds – all designed to soak up rainwater like a sponge and reduce reliance on traditional concrete solutions such as storage tanks.
As part of the investment, which will be delivered by 2030, the company will work alongside global leaders to bring ‘sponge city’ principles, already in use in cities including New York and Shanghai, to Liverpool.
Announcing the investment at the Flood and Coast Conference in Liverpool, United Utilities CEO Louise Beardmore said: “To tackle the challenges of climate change, we need to make our urban areas more spongy.
“We recognise the value of water as a resource and the importance of working with rainfall and runoff, rather than against it – slowing the flow, reducing flooding, and creating greener, more resilient places for our communities.”
The plans build on a landmark agreement struck last year with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Mersey Rivers Trust to tackle flood risk, reduce sewage discharges and improve water quality.
Around 85% of sewers in Merseyside are combined, meaning rainwater and wastewater flow through the same pipes.
During heavy rainfall, storm overflows may be used to prevent sewage backing up into homes and streets.
Work is already under way across Liverpool.
In Deysbrook, United Utilities has partnered with Alder Hey Hospital on a £536,000 scheme to cut flooding by diverting rainwater away from the combined sewer into new surface water drains.
More than 700 water-saving planters have also been provided to local residents, each capable of holding up to 200 litres of water and helping households reuse rainwater while reducing potential flood risk in the area.
The company is also working with major retailers and multi-site owners, including the city centre retail site, Liverpool One, to introduce rain gardens, while its Future Leaders of Water programme has helped 33% of Liverpool’s flood-prone schools become spongier and greener with plans to work with another 100 schools.
Louise Beardmore added: “With more intense rainfall, we need to manage rain where it falls. If we can do that, we can protect rivers, reduce flood risk and create places that people are proud to live in
“This investment marks an important step in shaping a more resilient future for Liverpool and the wider city region.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I made a commitment to make the River Mersey free from untreated sewage discharges by 2030, and last year we brought together United Utilities and the Mersey Rivers Trust to agree a joint plan to help make that happen.
“Cleaning up our waterways will need all of us to play our part, so it’s encouraging to see that partnership translating into investment that reduces pressure on the sewer network, improves water quality and helps mitigate against the impact of climate change.”
Brendan Hattam, centre director at Liverpool One, said: “We’re pleased to be working alongside United Utilities on initiatives that help make Liverpool a greener and more resilient city and look forward to seeing it come to life.
“Projects like this show how simple changes can have a lasting impact, enhancing spaces for our guests while helping the city adapt to the challenges of the future.”