[K]endal residents will get chance next week to see how a pioneering £12 million project is going to enhance water quality in the River Kent.
United Utilities is inviting local people to an exhibition of plans to upgrade Kendal’s wastewater treatment works and replace the outfall pipe which was damaged during Storm Desmond in 2015.
Details about the improvements to the Wattsfield Road site will go on display at: Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Rd, Kendal, LA9 7HX on Wednesday 17 May, 3pm – 7pm.
Engineers will be on hand to answer any questions about the work and how it may affect local people.
The upgrades to the site will include the largest ever UK application of a pioneering new process, known as Nereda. This advanced form of ‘activated sludge’, uses tiny granules packed with bacteria to treat the wastewater before it is returned to the environment.
Developed in the Netherlands, the new process requires less energy than conventional methods of treatment, and the equipment takes up a smaller footprint on site – allowing existing processes to be maintained while construction takes place.
Engineers will also install ultra-violet light treatment as part of the improvement project. This mimics the action of natural sunlight and zaps any harmful sewage bacteria remaining in the treated water before it is released into the river.
Kendal wastewater treatment works suffered significant damage during Storm Desmond, and the installation of the new technology will form part of a continuing upgrade and repair programme at the site.
The plant’s outfall pipe was swept away by the high river levels during the storm and a temporary pipe has been in place since then. The project will see a permanent replacement pipe installed two metres beneath the river bed.
Tony Elliott, United Utilities’ project manager, said: “This investment will allow us to treat Kendal’s wastewater to an even higher standard in a more sustainable and cost-effective way – good news for our customers and good for the environment.
“Most of the work will take place within the site boundary, although we will need to close the riverside footpath this summer where it runs past the site so we can safely lay the new outfall pipe.
“Everyone is welcome to come and see the plans on Wednesday and we’ll be very happy to explain what we’re doing.”
The upgrades to Kendal treatment works are scheduled to be up and running and contributing to a cleaner River Kent by Spring 2019.
