During the five year period 2005 to 2010 we are investing around £51 million to improve services to customers in Allerdale and Copeland.
Water quality
The quality of drinking water in the North West is the best it has ever been. But to ensure we continue to meet ever-increasing water quality standards, we are investing over £12 million to improve local water treatment works. We are also spending £121,000 on maintaining the water supply system. Some of our water pipes date back to Victorian times and this work is all part of our modernisation programme. The refurbishment and cleaning will help reduce the risk of low water pressure and discoloured water to your homes and business premises.
Wastewater services
We take away wastewater through our sewer network, clean it and safely return it to the environment. Between 2005 and 2010 we are investing £31 million on improving and maintaining wastewater treatment works in Allerdale and Copeland to deliver cleaner rivers, streams and coastal bathing waters. We are investing a further £1 million on preventing sewer overflows into local rivers and streams and over £6 million on preventing sewer flooding to customer properties.
Electricity network
As part of our electricity investment programme in 2006 our engineers carried out the biggest ever survey of the North West's power network. They walked from pole-to-pole checking their physical condition and inspecting the power lines in-between. We are using the information to help plan and prioritise our £600 million electricity investment programme that runs until 2010.
When we carry out our improvement works in Allerdale and Copeland we aim to keep disruption to a minimum. If the work is going to affect you we will contact you before the work starts and will keep you updated during the work.
United Utilities in Cumbria
- Our water engineers have begun the biggest clean-up the region has ever seen. We are investing more than £350 million to improve 800km of the North West's largest water pipes over the next eight years
- We have completed a £420,000 scheme to reduce electricity power cuts for more than 750 homes and businesses in Haverigg and Millom. We have refurbished overhead lines and replaced three kilometres of underground cable
- Cleator residents have benefited from our environmental clean-up project on the River Ehen. In 2006 we improved a wastewater overflow in Cleator so it can cope with stormwater as it runs down the drains from roads and rooftops. In 2005 we invested £1.4 million in a new wastewater treatment works at Edderside, two miles from Allonby
- New life has been breathed into San Beck in Workington following a £1 million clean-up project to provide a screening facility to prevent sewer debris flowing into the beck during heavy rainfall
- As part of our role in managing the North West's reservoirs, we own and maintain 60,000 hectares of land, working with our tenants, the local community and national organisations. Much of the land we manage is made available to the public to enjoy One of the stunning locations in the Lake District is Thirlmere reservoir estate which totals 4,800 hectares and includes tenanted farms, extensive areas of woodland and open fells which in the east extend to the summit of Helvellyn. This beautiful area offers a wide variety of walking trails, fishing, water sports, picnic areas and observation hides to watch deer and other wildlife