Liverpool Wastewater Treatment Works Outfall: Archaeological Desk-based Research

United Utilities has proposed a new outfall pipe into the River Mersey from Sandon Half-Tide Dock (NGR SJ 33195 92638 to SJ 32917 92575) in Liverpool. Due to the close proximity of the proposed outfall to historic docks, and a World Heritage Site, United Utilities commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake a programme of desk-based research in order to determine the presence or otherwise of historic features on the riverbed or at the landward end of the proposed outfall pipe. This was carried out in October and November of 2011.
The study area for the desk-based research comprised the footprint of the proposed outfall plus a 250m radius surrounding it. Sources consulted during the research included a search of both published and unpublished records held by the NMR, United Utilities, the Receiver of Wrecks, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, and the archives and library held at OA North.