£40m scheme to improve Lake District water quality

UNITED Utilities is to lay a four-mile sewer in the Lake District in a £40m scheme to improve water quality.

The aim of the work will be to cut down the frequency the sewer network overflows during periods of heavy rain and storms.

The sewer will follow the route of the A592 and the work will involved rolling temporary closures from January until March next year as the first mile is laid.
A wider scheme will begin in November with the upgrading of two wastewater treatment works.

It is hoped the project will be completed by March 2020.

Pippa Smith, from United Utilities said on the BBC: “This is a very important project for water quality in this most iconic lake. Once all our work is complete, we will have significantly reduced the amount of phosphorous entering the Lake Windermere.

“Around half of the phosphorous in the lake is caused by water running off agricultural land or from private sewerage treatment systems. Sewer upgrades can contribute a lot, but are not the only answer.

“We want this project to create a lasting legacy for the area, supporting wildlife, tourism and a thriving local economy.”