HOUSEHOLDERS in Crewe and Nantwich are being asked to help United Utilities find some of the county's thousands of missing private pumping stations.

Private pumping stations help pump wastewater to the nearest sewage treatment works, and can often be in people’s gardens or on nearby land.

A recent change in legislation means that UU will become responsible for many of these stations from October 2016.

UU has so far found 33 private pumping stations in Crewe and Nantwich, but believe more may exist in the area.

Clues to whether residents have a private pumping station on their property include manhole covers and metal cabinets, or cupboards containing electrical equipment.

Beverley Wilkinson, who is running the project on behalf of UU, said: “It’s incredible how many of us have unexplained objects around our homes and gardens.

“Hopefully, we can help people to get to the bottom of some of the household mysteries in Crewe and Nantwich.

“Contact us if you think you have a private pumping station on your property.”

If you think that there is a private pumping station on your property, fill in the questionnaire online at: unitedutilities.com/ppstransfer, email: privatepumpingstations@uuplc.co.uk or call: 0845 026 5151 and ask for the private pumping stations team.

Join the hunt on social media by searching for #pumphunt