BUSINESS is certainly buoyant for a Bury-based water treatment company with its hope of an eventual £1 million turnover now in the pipeline.

And young entrepreneur Chris Halliwell is tasting success with his firm, set up originally as a one-man band, securing more lucrative contracts and taking on new staff.

Chris (26) runs the thriving Wells Water Treatment Company which is currently fulfilling major contracts in the North West and as far away as the Midlands.

Based at St James Avenue, Woolfold, the firm is gaining considerable credence and being added to various "preferred supplier" and "approved tender" lists which should enhance its already enviable reputation.

Chris, who trained and worked as a water engineer before establishing Wells in 1998 under the Government's Headstart scheme, is overseeing a significant expansion of his business.

When he launched the company, he was engineer, sales manager and secretary all rolled into one.

Wells offers a comprehensive water treatment package which includes tank refurbishment, hot and cold water services, cooling tower treatment, service cleaning to chilled water and other systems and the cleaning and sterilisation of air handling units. Success has led to the appointment of project engineer Neil Koskie who has now been joined by colleagues Andy Westwell, Matthew Field and Chris Naylor.

And in keeping with the distinct "family firm" image, Chris's mum Brenda handles the administrative side of the business.

"We're currently carrying out work for Liverpool City Council which is worth £120,000 so far," disclosed Chris.

The initial work involves chlorination services to 290 schools. But the good news is that Wells could be retained to carry out upgrading and other work during the next five years.

"If that happens, then the contract to us will ultimately be worth more than £5 million.

"We are doing a lot of work for well-known firm Bailey Maintenance and elsewhere and business is really growing. Another of our clients is Jarvis Hotels," he added.

Wells is currently involved in a clutch of projects valued at £200,000 and has just been chosen to carry out water treatment operations at Bury General and Fairfield General hospitals.

Wells Water Treatment has recently launched its own website as it embraces the opportunities afforded by e-commerce.

Looking ahead, Chris says confidently: "The future is as rosy as ever. The next step is to take on another engineer and to continue to get work in."