Last updated at 12:40, Thursday, 25 June 2009

A £6 MILLION project to improve water quality in the South Lakes is set to get under way this autumn.

Water company United Utilities says the work will reduce the amount of storm water that flows into Esthwaite Water at Hawkshead, and improve the quality of treated water the company returns to the lake.

The scheme is part of United Utilities’ five-year £2.9 billion programme to improve water quality and the environment by 2010.

Project manager Steve Dooley said: “Esthwaite Water is an ecologically important site which is rated a grade-one site of special scientific interest and also an internationally important wetland so our project will be vital.

“We plan to introduce a new ferric dosing plant at Hawkshead Treatment Works which will reduce the amount of phosphates entering the water.

“Phosphates can cause a process called eutrophication where excess nutrients upset the natural rhythm of the lake, causing algal blooms, which reduce the oxygen and harm aquatic life.”

The work will take place in two phases. Phase one is due to start this autumn and includes building new sewer pipes in agricultural land between Hawkshead and Foldgate, and building a new pumping station near Esthwaite Lodge and improving the existing Hawkshead pumping station.

The new pumping station will be made with Lake District stone to make it consistent with other architecture in the area.

The second phase will involve extending the Hawkshead Wastewater Treatment Works and installing the dosing plant.

The total duration of the project is expected to be about 18 months.

At its most southern point, Esthwaite Water also runs into Windermere via Cunsey Beck. Windermere failed its bathing water quality standard for the first time last year and a United Utilities £16m storm water tank in Bowness is planned to reduce the amount of wastewater spilled into the lake in summer.

At Clappersgate, near Ambleside, a £1.4m scheme to provide mains sewerage is being installed so householders can move off private septic tanks which are said to be polluting another Windermere tributary, the River Brathay.

Mr Dooley said: “United Utilities is committed to reducing pollution and improving the Lake District’s beautiful environment.

“However our work is just part of the jigsaw. Other agencies like the Environment Agency are also carrying out important schemes.”

First published at 11:37, Thursday, 25 June 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk