£1.5m investment in Cark helps improve water quality in River Eea

A new wastewater treatment facility in Cark is playing a key role in improving water quality in the River Eea.

The site behind the train station was previously a pumping station used to pump wastewater to the treatment works at Grange over Sands. It is now a self-contained wastewater treatment works which is treating wastewater from homes and businesses whilst also significantly reducing storm overflow operations.

The installation of the new facility is the latest phase in an ongoing project to develop a permanent solution for the area. Work has also been carried out to reline parts of the network to help prevent water ingress into the network.

Andrew Kendall who heads up wastewater services for United Utilities in Cumbria explained: “This has been a challenging project, we’re delighted to see it operational and delivering a significant reduction in the number of times that storm overflow operates.

“As well as helping to reduce spills in Cark, this work has also freed up capacity at our treatment works in Grange-over-Sands creating a wider benefit to the area.”

Work is ongoing to develop a permanent solution that will address the ongoing issue of groundwater infiltrating into the network and putting extra pressure on the network in times of heavy rainfall.

Andrew Kendall added: “Investigations and groundwater surveys are continuing. As well as taking Cartmel’s geology into account, we are also looking at how factors such as the regular influx of tourists into the town are managed.

“The permanent solution we deliver will make the area more resilient to future challenges.”