The major UK city getting huge £30m revamp for whenever it rains | UK | News
A major UK city will soon get an upgrade to be prepared when it rains. Water supply company United Utilities has confirmed it is investing £30m to make Liverpool more ‘spongy’ by introducing measures that will change the way rainwater is managed. The project will include rain gardens, green roofs, urban wetlands and ‘greener’ playgrounds designed to absorb rainwater.
United Utilities will work with global leaders to implement measures and principles that will transform Liverpool into a ‘sponge city’ as seen in New York and Shanghai.
A statement from the water company said: “With heavy rainfall becoming more frequent, the investment will manage water more sustainably by capturing rain where it falls, slowing the flow into sewers, relieving pressure on the network and reducing the occurrence of storm floods.”
Announcing the investment at the Flood and Coast Conference in Liverpool, United Utilities CEO Louise Beardmore said: “We need to make our urban areas more spongy to tackle the challenges of climate change.
“We recognize the value of water as a resource and the importance of working with rain and runoff rather than against it, slowing runoff, reducing flooding and creating greener, more resilient places for our communities.”
The plan follows an agreement last year between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Mersey Rivers Trust to tackle flood risk, reduce sewer discharges and improve water quality, New Civil Engineering reports.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “I have committed to keeping the River Mersey free of 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 this happen.
“We will all need to do our part to clean up our waterways, so it is encouraging to see the partnership translate into investment that reduces pressure on the sewer network, improves water quality and helps mitigate the effects of climate change.”
In Merseyside, rainwater and wastewater flow through the same pipes, as 85% of the region’s sewage is combined.
United Utilities noted that storm overflows can be used to prevent sewage from backing up into homes and streets during periods of heavy rainfall.
Ms Beardmore added: “With rainfall becoming more intense we need to manage rain where it falls. If we can do this we can protect rivers, reduce the risk of flooding and create places people will be proud to live in.”
“This investment is an important step in shaping a more resilient future for Liverpool and the wider city region.”
