United Utilities has completed a £3m re-fit and upgrade of a Cumbrian reservoir dating from just after the death of Queen Victoria.
United Utilities’ Chapel House reservoir, near Uldale, which supplies thousands of people in north Allerdale with tap water, has had its dam strengthened and made more fish-friendly.
The 1902 structure, which can hold nearly 100 million litres of water, is a vital part of the drinking water supply system for places like Wigton, Silloth and Aspatria.
United Utilities' project manager Jonathan Clarke said:
“Like all big engineering structures, dams need regular maintenance. We have brought Chapel House right up to 21st century standards by installing a new, solid waterproof core and injecting the earth embankment with a strengthening substance.
“It means Chapel House will be able to do its job for decades to come.”
The nine-month project also involved improving the fish pass – a ladder-like structure which allows species like salmon and sea trout to get round the dam so they can spawn in the upper reaches of the River Ellen.
Jonathan Clarke continued:
“This is the first major work that’s been needed on the dam since it was built more than 110 years ago, so it’s a testament to those early engineers that they did their job so well.”
“Chapel House reservoir remains an important part of our water supply system in west Cumbria so there was no option of emptying it while we did the work. We had to make sure that a good supply of clean raw water was maintained all the time.”
The work, which also included improving the crest road, building a new wave wall and refurbishing the masonry spillway channel, is part of United Utilities’ current five year £3.5bn investment programme across the North West, which is part-funded by customers’ bills.
The work was carried out on United Utilities’ behalf by Keller Geotechnique and Carlisle-based Story Contracting.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.