UNITED Utilities has installed new pods at its head office in Lingley Mere Business Park to help manage rainwater.

The SuDSPods, which were installed by GreenBlue Urban, temporarily store rainwater and slowly release it into the sewer network, creating capacity at wastewater treatment sites and reducing the number of times that storm overflows operate.

“It was a pleasure to install and demonstrate the SuDSPods units to the welcoming team at United Utilities,” said James Dalrymple, business development manager at GreenBlue Urban.

“With three units now in place on their HQ Gatehouse building, rainfall entering the sewer system will not only be significantly slowed in terms of flow rates, but the overall volume will also be reduced as water loss increases with the establishment of the plants.”

In total, four pods will be installed at the site and is just one of a number of ways United Utilities is attempting to manage surface water.

In the event of heavy rain, the level of Clearwater Lake in Lingley Mere is able to rise up to 750mm, but a hydro-brake system carefully releases the water off site reducing the risk of sewer flooding in the area.

“We need to change how we manage rainwater in this country,” said Katy Bevan, rainwater management operations manager for United Utilities.

“The combined impact of more extreme weather patterns and urban creep means that large volumes of rain lands and surfaces where it races into our sewer network.

“We want to be at the forefront of changing how rainwater is managed across the north west, so the benefits for the environment can be maximised.

“We’re really pleased to have these SuDsPods installed now, so we can better understand their performance and learn whether they are potentially a solution for elsewhere in the region.”