Mayor Steve Rotheram of the Liverpool City Region has announced a groundbreaking agreement with United Utilities and the Mersey Rivers Trust to advance the Government’s national water quality objectives and expedite the clean-up of the River Mersey.
The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), supports the Government’s Plan for the Water Sector. It aligns with national initiatives to combat pollution and reduce storm overflows, reflecting the Mayor’s goal of achieving a discharge-free Mersey.
The MOU outlines a collaborative five-year action plan among the three partners, focusing on reducing sewage discharges, enhancing water quality, and promoting biodiversity throughout the Liverpool City Region.
This joint effort aims to bolster the Government’s Storm Overflows Reduction Plan, which targets a 40% reduction in discharges by 2040. In 2023, raw sewage was released into England’s rivers and seas for over 4 million hours, a 129% increase from the previous year. Data from environmental regulators in 2022 indicated at least 399,864 instances of untreated sewage being discharged into UK rivers and coastlines, averaging around 1,091 times per day.
Mayor Steve Rotheram said the agreement was an opportunity to demonstrate how national and local leadership can work together to deliver meaningful change:
“The River Mersey is part of who we are – a symbol of our past and our future. We’ve made huge progress in cleaning up the river over the last 30 years, but now it’s time to finish the job. By working together with United Utilities, the Mersey Rivers Trust and the Government, we will accelerate the clean-up of our great river and work towards my ambition of a discharge-free Mersey by 2030.”
“This partnership is about delivering on the Government’s national plan while demonstrating how local leadership can help accelerate progress.”
If we can do this in the Liverpool City Region, we can set a standard for others to follow. Together, we can make the Mersey – and rivers across the country – cleaner, greener, and healthier for future generations.”
The Liverpool City Region is committed to supporting and accelerating the Government’s national targets through swift local action. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the partners will develop a five-year pipeline of projects aimed at improving water quality, reducing flood risks, and enhancing biodiversity.
These initiatives will explore innovative nature-based solutions, such as sustainable drainage systems and natural flood management techniques, to alleviate pressure on the sewer network and minimise the risk of overflows.
The partnership will strive to ensure that local rivers not only meet but exceed national standards set by the Water Framework Directive, aligning with the Government’s goal for rivers to achieve ‘Good’ ecological status. Furthermore, the partners are dedicated to enhancing public access to the region’s waterways, creating cleaner and safer spaces for communities to enjoy.
Image credit: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
