United Utilities has started initial site investigation work this week for a potential major new pipeline near Keswick.

Engineers planning the route of a potential new water pipeline are carrying out ground investigations around Keswick and Bridekirk.

The water company is planning to link West Cumbria to the rest of its regional water network via a major new pipeline from Thirlmere to West Cumbria, a new water treatment works, pumping stations and underground service reservoirs. This will enable the utility to tap into the spare capacity at Thirlmere reservoir so that it can supply water to 80,000 people and businesses in Allerdale and Copeland.

United Utilities will need to stop using Ennerdale as a source of water by 2022 - the Environment Agency has confirmed that it will withdraw the abstraction licence for Ennerdale.

The exact route of the pipeline – which will transfer water mainly by gravity – is still being finalised and the company is seeking people’s views as part of a public consultation.

The current investigation work will involve using large drilling machines to dig boreholes at key points where the pipe might be built.

Programme director John Hilton said checking the type and depths of soil and rock at key points was vital to make sure the pipe was safe to build, with minimal local disruption, commenting:

“We’re still at least a year away from submitting any planning applications, and we’re keen to hear what people have to say about the route. These investigations will give us valuable data too.”

Subject to weather conditions, the first phase of drilling will take about three weeks. In mid March, drilling will move to agricultural land just north of the A66 east of Keswick.

United Utilities will shortly publish the dates and locations of a number of local exhibitions about the proposed pipeline.