Work starts on upgrading Troutbeck wastewater treatment works

United Utilities has started work on upgrading Troutbeck wastewater treatment works.

The North West’s water company will be improving the quality of the treated wastewater that is returned to the environment as part of its wider investment plans to improve water quality right across the Windemere catchment.

At Troutbeck, an innovative chemical-free sewage treatment process called FujiClean, which originates from Japan, will be installed.   

United Utilities is the first water company in Europe to introduce this innovative low carbon, chemical-free wastewater treatment process for use at smaller sites. The FujiClean system was developed in Japan to provide an alternative to septic tanks.  

The initial work at Troutbeck will require the removal of some small trees at the site before a temporary FujiClean unit is installed in October to help bring some immediate improvements while larger, permanent FujiClean units will then be put in place.

On completion of the works, the site will be landscaped and new screening will be planted.  

Andrew Kendall, Wastewater Business Lead for Cumbria at United Utilities, said: “This is another key milestone for our plans to improve water quality across Windermere.  By using innovative technology like FujiClean at rural sites like Troutbeck, it allows us to deliver benefits to the community and environment quickly.”

United Utilities is upgrading nine of its wastewater treatment works around Windermere to ensure wastewater is treated to the highest standards.  It will also be reducing the number of times that six storm overflows in the catchment operate during periods of heavy rain.

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.