Wastewater systems across Cumbria are now being improved thanks to a multi-million-pound programme of environmental investment.
United Utilities has today announced three locations of investment in Cumbria, with 114 miles of the region’s rivers set to be revamped by treatment plant and sewer system upgrades.
The programme will make wastewater systems more resilient to heavy rainfall and reduce sewer spills into the environment by more than 10 million tonnes a year – the equivalent of 4,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Newbiggin wastewater treatment works will undergo a £3.6m upgrade to increase the volume of wastewater it can treat, which will improve the quality of water in Morecambe Bay.
Carlisle wastewater treatment works will gain a £2.3m upgrade to increase the flow into the works, helping treat more sewage in storm conditions, which will improve the River Eden.
The River Bleng is also set to see improvements after the wastewater treatment plant at Gosforth underwent a £1.15m upgrade to increase the amount of storm water that can be stored before treatment.
United Utilities is also part of the Love Windermere partnership which aims to tackle the challenges facing the lake, including pollution from nutrients, climate change and seasonal tourist numbers.
A group of organisations including the research, water, farming, NGO, charity and regulatory sectors are working together on a science-based plan to improve water quality in the lake.
Jo Harrison, Director of Environment Planning and Innovation at United Utilities, said: “At United Utilities, our purpose is very clear – we don’t just supply water, we also want to make the North West greener, healthier and stronger. We work very hard to maintain a high level of environmental performance and we’re pleased that for the second year running we have been awarded the top four-star rating by the Environment Agency.”
The river improvement programme is part of a series of United Utilities investment commitments that are taking place across the North West between 2020 and 2025.
The investments are set to inject £10.5 billion into the regional economy.
