United Utilities Group PLC’s £34 Million River Irwell Cleanup Comes With a Bill-Payer Test
United Utilities Group PLC has kicked off water-quality projects topping £34 million across Bury, Prestwich and Whitefield, targeting the company’s promise to cut storm overflow discharges into the River Irwell and its tributaries. These overflow sites, designed to relieve pressure during heavy rainfall, have drawn scrutiny from regulators and locals alike. Timing is key here. Even as Ofwat’s 2025-30 price review is set to push customer costs higher, figures from the Consumer Council for Water reveal United Utilities’ average household bill jumping to £585 by 2029-30, up from £442 in 2024-25, excluding inflation.