United Utilities brings sluge-to-agriculture in house to "save £1m a year"

United Utilities has brought in house its transportation of sludge for use as fertiliser in farms with a forecast of savings at £1m a year.

It has bought 12 new tipper trucks from its fleet partner, Volvo, and hired 15 new drivers to help it distribute the sludge cake from four major treatment works - Shell Green in Widnes, Davyhulme in Manchester, Stockport and Leigh.

The company said it will supply Derbyshire farms initially and extend the service into the North West and Midlands.