Engineers working on a multi-million-pound project to carry water from Thirlmere to West Cumbria say they are still on course to hit construction targets despite the coronavirus crisis.
United Utilities said that in the face of COVID-19 and other challenges, it was still on track to complete the construction project in time for 2022.
Work has involved the installation of 100km of new pipes to transfer untreated water from Thirlmere via the new Williamsgate treatment works just off the A595 near Redmain, close to Blindcrake.
Now in its third year of construction, the improvement project will ensure there will always be enough water on tap for West Cumbria’s households and businesses.
The Williamsgate treatment works will be capable of treating 80 million litres of water every day when it is completed in 2022.
A new “green” roof was installed on the building at the end of July helping the building to merge into the contours of the surrounding environment.
Work has also included the construction of two new pumping stations and two underground service reservoirs at High Leys and Moota Hill.
Between the Lorton Valley and Stainburn, Workington, two pipelines have been refurbished resulting in the restoration of just over 23km of pipes.
The work has been completed through the process of slip lining which involves inserting a smaller diameter pipe inside an existing pipe.
It was completed in July 2020 – a year ahead of schedule.
John Hilton, United Utilities’ project director, said: “This is the first time that we’ve undertaken a project of this scale and we are incredibly proud of our achievements so far.
“Despite many challenges including the COVID-19 outbreak, dry weather, extreme wet weather and flooding, we’re still on track to finish in 2022.
“There’s still a lot of work to do but we’re confident that we can maintain progress and continue with the momentum that we’ve built over the last three years on the project.”
To find out more about the West Cumbria project, call 0345 672 3723 or visit unitedutilities.com/west-cumbria-update
