LCUS trunk main

Improving water quality for Lancashire

In July 2007 we are starting work on cleaning and repairing some of the main water pipes that supply customers in parts of Lancashire. We will be working on two pipes in the Lancashire area - the Hodder large diameter trunk main and the Lancashire conjunctive use scheme (LCUS). Between them these pipelines supply up to 219 million litres of water a day to 850,000 people in Lancashire.

Since the pipes were first put in place up to 90 years ago, deposits of iron and manganese which occur naturally in raw water from our upland reservoirs have built up on the inside of the pipes. Although not harmful to health these deposits can result in discolouration of our drinking water.

It is because of these deposits that we need to carry out work to clean and repair the insides of the Hodder and LCUS pipelines. The work is due to be complete by spring 2010.

This project is part of a major cleaning and maintenance programme that we are undertaking across the North West.

The Lancashire Conjunctive Use Scheme trunk main

The Lancashire Conjunctive Use Scheme (LCUS) trunk main runs from Franklaw water treatment works at Catterall to our reservoir at Hoghton.  The pipeline opened in 1980 to take water abstracted from the River Lune and River Wyre to over 560,000 customers in the Preston area.

What we are doing

We started the preparation work in the summer of 2008 laying new large diameter water mains in Garstang and Longridge to enable us to shut off the other mains that we want to clean

Our cleaning programme will begin in early 2010 using pressure jetting and 'pigs'.
The pig is a bullet shaped object made from polyurethane foam, which is pushed through the pipe using water or air pressure.  As it moves forward, the surface of the pig scrapes away soft deposits from the walls of the pipe.  Pressure jetting involves purpose-built equipment travelling down the inside of the pipeline directing jets of water against the internal surface of the pipe to remove any deposits.

How will it affect you?

It is unlikely that you will notice any change in your water supply as we will continue to use the same water source. Although during peak periods we may use water from boreholes to supplement water supplies in some areas.  Please be assured that the quality of your drinking water will be to the same high standard as your current supply.

As the work we are doing will be concentrated on the route of the pipelines most customers should not be affected by the work. However if you do live along the route of the pipelines you may notice an increase in traffic and construction related noise.

Occasionally we may also need to divert traffic for short periods. If we need to do this in your area we will let you know in advance.

Download our LCUS leaflet