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DWMP FAQs

Have a look through our frequently asked questions to see if we can answer your question.

  • Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan.

  • A Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) is a long term plan (up to 2050), which sets out how United Utilities Water (UUW) proposes to ensure robust and resilient drainage and wastewater services for the North West, in partnership with stakeholders.

  • Our drainage and wastewater assets are under increasing stress. Climate change, population growth and an ageing infrastructure all have negative consequences on asset health and performance. By developing the DWMP, UUW is setting the long-term context for decisions to secure robust and resilient drainage and wastewater services at an affordable price for customers.

  • The DWMP is a long term plan to understand scale and scope of future challenges. It will be used to ensure that decisions regarding future business plan developments are made in the context of the long term challenges and opportunities, and will support and encourage partnership working.

  • If you are a stakeholder, we recommend reading our Strategic Area Plans for more information about the long term plan for your Strategic Planning Area.

    If you are a customer, we recommend looking at our DWMP Customer Portal page.

  • We recommend that customers look at our Customer Summary as well as the Customer Portal to gain more information on how the plan has been developed.

  • There are various types of flooding and each type is the responsibility of different authorities to manage:

    Flooding from sewers: Responsibility of the water company.

    Flooding from rivers and the sea: The environment Agency has a strategic overview of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion (as defined in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010). It is also responsible for flood and coastal erosion risk management activities on main rivers and the coast and regulating reservoir safety.

    Flooding from surface water, ground water and ordinary water courses: The Lead Local Flood Authority for your area is responsible for managing local risks which includes ensuring co-operation between the risk management authorities.

    For more information on flood risk generally across the North West, please visit the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee website: Flood Hub.

  • The DWMP will be refreshed on a 5 yearly basis. However, data that informs the plan will be reviewed annually after our regulatory return submission to Ofwat.

  • Many of the drainage risks facing water companies are also facing partner authorities as we experience the impacts of external factors such as climate change and population growth.

    By working together to create solutions, we can create savings for customers and minimise disruption.

  • The DWMP is a plan which is focussing on identifying our future risks between 2025 and 2050, and how we can resolved these risks through sustainable solutions. The DWMP does not share live or historic information for this reason.