Aqueduct scheme to increase resilience of water supply for decades to come

Progress is being made on the long-awaited Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP), a scheme to replace six sections of a 109km pipeline.

Built in the 1950s (as seen in image) the pipeline runs from Cumbria through Lancashire and into Greater Manchester, supplying drinking water from the Lake District to 2.5m people.

However, time has taken its toll on the pipeline and work is needed to minimise water disruptions and maintain the high quality of your drinking water.

This landmark programme will be the largest infrastructure project undertaken by the company since privatisation.

The scheme will see the replacement of six tunnel sections along the 80-mile aqueduct route, which may have an impact on your local area during construction. 

The complex scheme is currently going through the planning process across the three counties following a pre-planning process which included one of the largest consultations in our history.

The consultation engaged with thousands of residents, businesses and stakeholders across Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester to explain our plans, listen to feedback and concerns and then amend those plans. 

On completion, it would increase the resilience of our water supply for customers throughout the North West of England, and deliver world-class infrastructure to the region.

To find out more about HARP and where we are up to in the planning process, please visit our dedicated information hub here.