More sustainable water supply for 80,000 households
In August 2022, a new 100 km pipeline began supplying 80,000 households and businesses in West Cumbria, UK with water from the Thirlmere reservoir.
Prior to this project, these communities received water from Ennerdale Water, a lake in England’s renowned Lake District National Park and the River Ehen, which are both host to several protected species. The new infrastructure enables a more sustainable water supply for West Cumbria.
This high-profile scheme was seven years in the making and was the largest project of its kind in the UK when construction began. GHD’s role was to work in partnership with contractor J Murphy & Sons to further develop the concept design for 30 km of water mains of varying material and diameter. To do this, our team carried out water network modelling, process, civil, building, mechanical, electrical, control and instrumentation design. Our team also provided design and construction support to United Utilities during the Environmental Impact Assessment, planning applications and flood defence consent applications, and NEC3 Works Information for enabling, design and construct phases.
According to John Hilton, Project Director at United Utilities,
“this is one of the largest feats of engineering we’ve ever undertaken at United Utilities and I’m incredibly proud of the work that has been done by all our teams and contractors to deliver it.”
John Hensman, UK Water Market Leader added,