FAMILIES in Greater Manchester will soon be drinking cleaner tap water thanks to an estimated £4bn plan to improve water quality and waste treatment in the north west.

The far-reaching draft proposals, unveiled today by United Utilities, also aim to protect more homes from flooding and help save the environment by reducing leaks.

Underground mains will be thoroughly cleaned to remove decades of deposits as part of the five-year `blueprint', from 2010 to 2015.

And a new 34-mile pipeline is also set to be built between Bury and Liverpool - an engineering feat not seen since the Victorians built the region's underground aqueduct network.

It could mean that, in times of shortage, Greater Manchester residents could end up drinking water from North Wales instead of from the Lake District. The River Irwell and the River Tame will become cleaner thanks to work on storm overflows and treatment works.

But water bills could increase to just over £1 a day by 2015 compared with 96p this year.

Click here to read about the campaign to get people to ditch bottled water in favour of tap water.

Philip Green, United Utilities' chief executive, said: "We believe our water and waste water services will continue to represent outstanding value for money. This is a draft plan. We are keen to get a wide range of views before details are finalised."

The M.E.N. is backing a United Utilities' move to encourage people to ditch bottled water and turn back to the tap.

News of the proposals comes on the day the firm, like other water companies, submitted its five-year plan to the water regulator, Ofwat.

The investment programme would result in record spending by United Utilities. The firm does not expect bills to rise faster than household incomes.

Those struggling to pay will be helped by a 67 per cent increase in the company's charitable funding, up to £5m a year.

More customers are expected to have meters by 2015. New `smart' meters will be introduced from 2010 which can be read remotely and can allow for 'more sophisticated' pricing.

Click here to read about the campaign to get people to ditch bottled water in favour of tap water.