West Cumbria residents to get softer water
Copeland residents can expect a softer blend of tap water throughout this year.
The decision was made at a meeting between United Utilities, Copeland MP Trudy Harrison, Mike Starkie the Mayor of Copeland Council, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and DEFRA.
Residents in West Cumbria have been receiving hard water since United Utilities changed the water supply.
They began reducing supplies from Ennerdale water and mixing water from boreholes at Egremont.
Under the new arrangements agreed at the meeting, residents will get a consistent blend of water, classed as soft, throughout the year.
This will be done by using a smaller amount of borehole water from Egremont.
United Utilities say they are pleased with the outcome of the meeting:
The softer blend will be maintained until 2022 when a new pipeline bringing water from Thirlmere reservoir comes into place.
The only time the amount of borehole water from Egremont will be increased is in times of drought.
This would happen when the level of Ennerdale water reaches a certain low point.
Rainfall models show this might happen once in four years.
The Mayor of Copeland Council says he is pleased the drinking water will be a softer blend:
United Utilities are working on a new £300million scheme to bring soft water from Thirlmere Reservoir to West Cumbria.
The scheme involves the construction of 100km of new pipeline, a new treatment plant, two new pumping stations and two new underground service reservoirs.
Ennerdale water will not be used after the new scheme comes into place in 2022.