Details of the precise pipeline route for the West Cumbria project are presently out to consultation, but will involve a new pipeline from Thirlmere reservoir, near Keswick, plus possible locations for a new water treatment works.

All options also include several smaller ancillary distribution pipelines, pumping stations and storage reservoirs.

A supplier engagement event will be held at a location in Cumbria at the end of March, where interested parties can meet with the UU project delivery team to discuss the proposed works.

Project delivery manager Carl Sanders said: “Experts tell us the places we use to source west Cumbria’s water at the moment are increasingly delicate habitats and that eventually we will need to stop using the biggest source, Ennerdale, for good.”

“Unless we find an alternative, that could leave 80,000 to 140,000 people without an adequate water supply. That’s despite all the work we’re doing on water efficiency and leakage.

“There are a couple of ways we could get more water, but our favourite is to bring it from our existing reservoir at Thirlmere. Thirlmere has all the capacity we need and was built for the job of supplying water so there is much less environmental impact.”

The three potential routes engineers are considering are:

Option A. To build a new water main from Thirlmere following the route of the A591 or A66 to join west Cumbria’s existing water supply network west of Cockermouth, and a new water works near Thirlmere reservoir.

Option B. To build a new water main from Thirlmere following the route of the A591 or A66 to Cockermouth, and a new water works near Cockermouth.

Option C. To build a new water main from Thirlmere following the route of the A591 to Bothel Moor, and a new water works near Bothel Moor.

It will be a couple of years before the utility can even apply for planning permission and it could be 2025 before the project is completed.