Upgrade work to improve water quality in River Kent

United Utilities will start work at the beginning of January at its treatment works in the village as part of efforts to improve water quality in the River Kent.

The project will see the installation of new storage tanks to reduce the frequency of storm overflows during heavy rainfall, along with equipment upgrades to increase capacity and ensure wastewater is treated to a higher standard.

Andrew Kendall, wastewater business lead for Cumbria at United Utilities, said: "Over the last few years we’ve been working hard to look at solutions to help us reduce infiltration into our sewer network in the village, reduce the number of times storm overflows operate, and ultimately improve water quality in the River Kent.

"We’ve been working closely with the Clean River Kent Group and Staveley Parish Council as we look to deliver the schemes.

"I’m really pleased that the next phase of our works is now starting as it will help us to deliver the environmental benefits to the River Kent that we all want to see."

The scheme builds on improvements already delivered in 2025, including a 50 per cent increase in treatment capacity and the relining of nearly 400 metres of pipes to prevent infiltration into the sewer network.

Additional plans are being developed for new pipelines under the River Kent and for diverting surface water from the sewer system in the village.

The project forms part of United Utilities' wider, more than £13bn investment programme to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across the North West.

Over the next five years, the company aims to protect more than 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters.