WATER quality at a hugely-popular Lake District attraction is set to be improved thanks to a £40m investment.

United Utilities has revealed plans to lay a new 6.5km sewer and upgrade two local wastewater treatment works, in order to significantly reduce the amount of phosphorous in Windermere.

Phosphorous can cause algal blooms, which can reduce the amount of oxygen in the water - inhibiting aquatic life, and potentially impacting on recreational uses of the lake.

The scheme will reduce the number of times the sewer network overflows during heavy storms, which contribute to the amount of phosphorous in the water.

Work will include the creation of a 6.5km sewer to take extra sewage flows to the wastewater treatment works, improvements at the existing Glebe Road pumping station and upgrades at both Windermere and Ambleside wastewater treatment works.

The scheme will begin in November, with work taking place throughout the winter months until March 2017. Successive winter periods of work in 2018 and 2019 will also be required, with completion of all projects expected by March 2020.

The new 6.5km sewer will follow the route of the A592, requiring traffic management and temporary closures of sections of the road. Work on this road is expected to begin in January 2017, and run through to Easter 2017.

Pippa Smith, wastewater asset manager for United Utilities said: "This is a very important project for water quality in this most iconic lake. Once all our work is complete, we will have significantly reduced the amount of phosphorous entering Windermere.

"This will be a great result for aquatic life, recreation and tourism.

"It's worth remembering, however, that this project is only part of a bigger jigsaw puzzle for Windermere. Around half of the phosphorous in the lake is caused by water running off agricultural land or from private sewerage treatment systems. Sewer upgrades can contribute a lot, but are not the only answer.

"Unfortunately, the laying of the new sewer will result in some traffic disruption, which is why we are timing the work to avoid peak tourist seasons. We will do everything we possibly can to minimise inconvenience. ​ ​“Ultimately, we want this project to create a lasting legacy for the area, supporting wildlife, tourism and a thriving local economy.”

A public exhibition about the scheme will be held on Tuesday, from 1pm to 7pm, at the Belsfield Hotel, Kendal Road, Bowness.