United Utilities starts work on three projects in West Cumbria

United Utilities has started work on three projects worth £2m in West Cumbria to help improve water quality in parts of the county. 

The North West’s water company is building storage tanks to help reduce the number of times storm overflows operate at sites in Arlecdon, Deanscales and Threapland with work on all three projects expected to be completed by September 2025. 

In Arlecdon, the company is building a storm tanks with 83m3 storage that will help improve water quality in Winder beck. 

At Deanscales the company is building an additional 152m3 storage that will help improve water quality in Tributary of Far Stock beck. 

Whilst in Threapland the company is building a 16m3 storage tank and replacing the outfall pipework and constructing a new headwall that will help improve water quality in Threapland Gill. 

Andrew Kendall, Wastewater Business Lead for Cumbria at United Utilities, said: “We know customers are keen for us to improve water quality across Cumbria.  So, we’re working at pace to deliver the largest investment in wastewater infrastructure in a century. 

“It’s great to see work starting on these three projects in the West of the county that will make a real difference in helping us to cut spills from the storm overflows at these sites.”

It comes as United Utilities embarks on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure for a century.  The company will be spending more than £13bn over the next five years to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.