The outgoing Chairman of the Environment Agency, Lord Smith has praised United Utilities for bringing dry rivers back to life in the North West.
The scheme was the first of its kind in the country and helped the rivers Brennand and Whitendale flourish by taking less from them for drinking water supplies when levels are getting low. By restoring a more natural flow, there is a greater opportunity to enhance and protect fish and other habitats.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph Lord Smith said:
“There are two rivers up in the Forest of Bowland, the Brennand and Whitendale. For the last 30 years or so those rivers have been dry because they’ve been siphoned off for water supply for some of the big Lancashire towns.”
“It needed a lot of discussion with the local community and a lot of cooperation with United Utilities water company, some new finance mechanisms.”
The Environment Agency chief added:
“But last year we were able to take the water from elsewhere and restore the water to the Brennand and the Whitendale and you now have two thriving rivers.”
Water was first taken from the two remote rivers in the 1870s, when it was used to provide supplies for the working mills and residents of east Lancashire. The two rivers provide drinking water to homes and businesses in Blackburn and the Ribble Valley.
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