Work has begun on a two-year scheme to build an underground tank to help improve water quality in the Walney Channel in South Cumbria.
United Utilities has started the project at Flass Flane in Barrow, which aims to reduce the number of times that nine storm overflows in the area operate.
The 5500m3 tank is bigger than two Olympic sized swimming pools.
The additional storage will allow stormwater to be stored, so that it can be treated before being returned to the environment, United Utilities said.
This week the site compound and fencing has been erected around the construction site in the land situated between the allotments and Risedale Abbey Meadows Care Home.
There will also be a new drainage network to separate surface water from the foul sewer network in the residential areas around Flass Lane.
The company said it expected construction to take up to two years. Upon completion, the site will be landscaped.
It is one of a number of projects that are due to start around Barrow to improve water quality in the Walney Channel, Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea around Barrow.
Over the next five years this will mean investment at 21 storm overflows in nine locations across Barrow.
Fiona Edmondson, regional delivery manager at United Utilities, said: “We’re excited by the project at Flass Lane as by building such a big tank in one location it is allowing us to cut storm overflow operations from nine sites whilst minimising disruption across the town.”
