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Shocking figures reveal that 295 days worth of raw sewage was dumped into Bolton's waterways last year. United Utilities bosses say they are investing millions in improving the waterways with four projects already completed. Environment Agency data reveals the extent of sewage pumped into Bolton's waterways in 2024.
Figures show that storm overflows spilled a record 3.61 million hours of sewage into rivers, lakes and coasts. In Bolton, more than 7,087 hours of sewage was pumped into local waterways.
Some areas of Bolton were affected more badly than others but the general picture is bleak - sewage spillages occurred all over the borough. Bradshaw Brook , an area of natural beauty, had sewage dumped into it for 1351 hours in 2024. This equates to 56 days of the year, sewage was pumped into Bradshaw Brook.
Longsight Park which is connected to Bradshaw Brook had just under 227 hours of spillage. A total of 757 hours of raw sewage was also dumped into the River Croal. And more than 600 hours of raw sewage was spilled into Astley Brook.
Middle Brook on Crown Street in the town centre saw 80 hours of raw sewage dumped. Just by Heaton Cemetery, a further 218 hours worth of sewage was spilled into Middle Brook and right next to Ladybridge Lane by Ladybridge FC's pitch, 96 hours of sewage was spilled. United Utilities , the North West's water provider, has completed four projects to improve water quality in the Bolton area.
Specifically, it has invested more than £150m to help improve the water quality of the River Irwell and its tributaries. Matt Hemmings, Chief Operating Officer at United Utilities, said: "Our teams right across the North West have been working extremely hard to make the improvements that people want to see benefit their local rivers, watercourses and bathing waters. "From increasing storage on sites to looking at bespoke solutions such as sustainable drainage and new innovative ways of treating wastewater to even higher standards, we are starting to see the impact our investment is making, and this is helping us make great progress in reducing spills and improving river health.
" The water company has increased capacity at its wastewater treatment works off Red Rock Lane so that it can treat more wastewater. This will also reduce the amount of times that the storm overflow operates in periods of heavy rain. And by installing more innovative technology, United Utilities say that wastewater will be treated to higher standards.
READ MORE: Work to improve water quality at Bradshaw Brook underway Longsight Park swamped with untreated sewage United Utilities £38m to improve water quality in Bolton The company has also completed three projects at sites in Astley Bridge, Dunscar Bridge and Firwood industrial estate which will reduce the number of times storm overflows operate in heavy rain. In addition, a network of two storage tunnels has been built between Firwood industrial estate, Bolton Arboretum and Longsight Park. The tunnels are able to store more than 2900 cubic meters of storm water – which is the equivalent of more than one Olympic size swimming pool.
A tunnelling machine was used to create the huge storage tunnel which aims to improve water quality in Bradshaw Brook. At Astley Bridge a 400 cubic meter storage tank has been built in Haywood's Hollow. As well as extra storage, a new screen was fitted to the overflow to help improve the water quality in Astley Brook.
And at Dunscar Bridge, a 200 cubic meter storage meter tank with a screen has been built to help improve the water quality in Eagley Brook and Gale Brook. (Image: UGC) Labour MP for Bolton West Phil Brickell said: "Having spent countless hours on and in our waterways across the UK, unfortunately, the sewage discharge figures for 2024 come as no surprise. "The government has inherited a water system which is simply not fit for purpose.
"That's why I recently supported the Water (Special Measures) Act which passed through Parliament last month. "This headline legislation is the government's first step in cleaning up our polluted waterways. "I'll be pushing the government to go further and faster and know from speaking to ministers there is a strong appetite to do so.
"I've received many complaints from my Bolton West constituents about rising water bills. It's intolerable that consumer costs spiral against a backdrop of systemic sewage discharges." Chris Borradaile, Wastewater County Business Leader for Greater Manchester at United Utilities, said: “We’re really pleased to have delivered these four projects in Bolton on time.
We know how important improving water quality is to our customers and these schemes will all play their part in improving the River Irwell. “There is more to do though and we have projects to improve wastewater treatment works and reduce storm overflows right across Greater Manchester over the next five years that we’re now getting on with delivering.”.
