STUDENTS from four schools, Beamont Collegiate Academy, Bridgewater High School, Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School and Penketh High School, have worked with United Utilities over the past 16 weeks to find engineering solutions to water and wastewater problems.

The group of budding engineers worked on a series of in depth and challenging water industry problems, learning important business skills through a special Dragons’ Den style business competition.

Sir Thomas Boteler, in Latchford, and Bridgewater High School, in Appleton, both picked up the joint winning prize.

Chris Hillidge, representing the Multi Academy Trust, said: “Working with United Utilities has given our students the opportunity to get a feel for what it’s like to work in an energetic forward-looking STEM organisation.

“The students got to see close up what important work United Utilities do and I’m sure many of the students will go on to some exciting and rewarding careers, hopefully at United Utilities.”

Karen Hughes, head of organisation development at Great Sankey-based United Utilities, said: “The way the students were able to communicate their ideas from a water energy saving app, pipelines that reduce the power required to pump water, wind turbines and grey water reuse really impressed the judging panel, especially the level of thought and planning that had gone into their presentations.”