The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved £400m in funding to help United Utilities improve water supply and wastewater management in the UK.
EIB's funding will benefit 6.8 million people across North-West England through schemes to improve drinking water quality and enable more energy efficient treatment of wastewater.
The SBAP project at Davyhulme wastewater treatment works in Manchester will receive £100m in funding to enhance its sludge digestion, resulting in a cleaner soil conditioner that can be recycled to farmland.
The projects will also include upgrading wastewater treatment plants in Blackburn, Burnley and Sandon Dock in Liverpool to generate heat and electricity through combined heat and power engines.
The funding will also be allocated to increase the sewer capacity during heavy rainfall, it will also go towards improving water quality in rivers and along the coastline by upgrading sewer overflow points and building 101 new storm water detention tanks.