Major Windermere upgrade reaches construction milestone as £200m investment gathers pace

United Utilities has provided an update on its £200 million investment programme across the Windermere catchment, with major construction milestones helping to reduce spills and improve water quality.

The programme includes 15 projects, upgrading nine wastewater treatment works and increasing storm water storage capacity at six overflows across the catchment.

At Ambleside, construction is progressing on two above-ground storm water storage tanks in Miller Field. Together, they will provide 4,500m³ of storage to hold back storm water during heavy rainfall and help reduce spills. The first tank has now reached its finished height and the project remains on track for completion by December 2027.

Work to upgrade Ambleside wastewater treatment works is also due to begin in October. The scheme will improve treatment processes to reduce phosphorus levels in treated wastewater and is expected to be completed ahead of its regulatory deadline.

Elsewhere in the catchment:

Langdale: Improvement work at Langdale wastewater treatment works has been completed, helping to reduce spills at the Elterwater storm overflow. New treatment technology allows the site to process more wastewater to a higher standard and relieve pressure on the sewer network.  Further work is due to be completed at the site in the coming years to further improve standards as well. 

Grasmere: A project to reduce phosphorus levels in treated wastewater has been completed ahead of schedule.

Troutbeck: Work is underway to install new treatment technology to meet tighter environmental standards for phosphorus, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia.

Near Sawrey: Construction starts in October on a project to expand the site and improve phosphorus and ammonia removal.

Far Sawrey and Outgate: New treatment infrastructure will be installed at both sites in the coming months to improve the quality of treated wastewater returned to the environment.

Further projects at Glebe Road, Grasmere, Ferry House and Hawkshead are due to be completed by 2030.

Katie Callan, Windermere Delivery Director at United Utilities, said: "It's great to see the progress being made across the Windermere catchment, with major construction advancing at Ambleside, projects completed at Langdale and Grasmere, and several more schemes set to begin in the coming month.

"These projects are already delivering benefits for the communities that enjoy Windermere, helping to reduce storm overflow activity, improve wastewater treatment and enhance water quality across the catchment."

Alongside the £200 million investment programme, United Utilities and a coalition of partners will this month publish a feasibility study examining how Windermere can become more resilient to climate change, supporting the ambition of only rainwater entering the lake.