Case study: United Utilities link main construction
Along with a range of water efficiency activities, one of the first example of adaptation by United Utilities is the construction of a 55km, 100 megalitre/day bi-directional west to east link main to provide greater resilience to both drought and flooding risks.
The main provides further integration to UU’s highly integrated supply system, linking the Greater Manchester and Liverpool conurbations.
This work is being funded partly in the current pricing period (AMP4, 2005-09) and partly in the next period (AMP5, 2010-14), in line with agreements with the economic regulator Ofwat and supported by the Environment Agency, the Consumer Council for Water and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
The link main has multiple benefits and will help balance the risks of investment for uncertain climate change forecasts with more immediate customer serviceability benefits. Work is due to commence in spring 2009 and finish in 2011.
