Work ensures future water supply

A multi-million pound engineering scheme to ensure a reliable supply of water to south Cumbria is now underway

United Utilities has already begun the first stage of the scheme, the laying of a five kilometre pipe line.

On Monday engineers will begin work on passing it under the busy A590, near South Lakes Wildlife Park.

When complete, the pipeline will enable engineers to transfer treated water from Haweswater into the Ulverston, Lindale and Dalton areas.

The Poaka Beck plant will then be taken out of service while upgrading work is carried out.

'Robust network'

When the entire scheme is completed by spring 2008 it will also be possible to transfer water from the Poaka Beck plant back into the whole South Lakes area.

Julian Cox, United Utilities water sector manager, said: "This is one of the many schemes that our customers' bills help to fund and it will be well worth it when it is finished.

"We are lucky not to have a drought in this part of the country at present but no-one can predict the future.

"When the scheme is finished we will have an even more robust water network that will stand us in good stead for decades to come."

The work is part of United Utilities' £2.9 billion water quality and environmental improvement programme between 2005 and 2010.