The first female chief executive of United Utilities has made a pledge as she outlined investment plans worth £914m.
Louise Beardmore has taken up the role at the Warrington-headquartered water provider this month, succeeding Steve Mogford who had been in the role since 2011.
It was first revealed that she would become the organisation's new CEO in April last year.
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Now the new boss, who hails from Liverpool has pledged to help make the North West "stronger, greener and healthier".
She has also announced that the water company is planning to bring forward investment worth £914m aiming to reduce spills from storm overflows, create jobs and boost the resilience of communities and the local environment.
She said: "I am very clear about the responsibilities United Utilities has to deliver great services for customers, to protect and enhance the environment and to ensure we are investing in the infrastructure we need in the region to support future growth and climate change.
"We have an ambitious plan, including the largest investment programme we have ever delivered as we seek to enable a step change in environmental performance right across the region.
"I know we have much more to do, addressing the things that matter most to our customers and which benefit the region and I am committed to doing that.
"I am equally passionate about protecting those households who are struggling financially which is why we have sector leading support packages available for those who need help with their water bills. I am keen we strengthen that support as we move forward too.
"I look forward to working with many other organisations and partners across the North West as collaboration is key to the continued success of the place we all call home.
"We have a dedicated workforce, proud to be serving the people of this region and I’m excited to get started in my new role because there’s a lot to do."
The funding is subject to consultation with stakeholders until Monday, April 24.
A total of £719m has been allocated to reduce storm overflow spills, helping protect water quality at inland waterways across the North West – including Windermere in the Lake District.
A further £117m has been set aside for habitat improvements in and around the River Eden in Cumbria while £78m has been earmarked to reduce the frequency of storm overflow spills into bathing waters.
The investment comes after the government signalled that water companies could face unlimited fines and penalties under new plans to tackle pollution.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey is expected to announce plans that ministers believe will "make polluters pay", with tougher fines levied on water companies put into a "water restoration fund".
It comes as the latest Environment Agency figures showed there were a total of 301,091 sewage spills in 2022 – an average of 824 a day.
Discharges fell by 19% in 2022 – but this was due to dry weather rather than any action taken by water companies, the agency said.
United Utilities' plans form part of a wider £1.6bn move by other water companies across the country.
Ofwat is seeking to to approve 31 schemes in England that will be brought forward from the latter part of the decade to begin in 2023 or 2024.
Seven water companies have proposed 10 schemes at a collective £1.1bn to improve 250 storm overflows and reduce the frequency of sewage spills by around 10,000 a year.
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