The technology provides an alternative form of sewage treatment which uses an ultra-fine membrane as the final stage in the wastewater treatment process. This ensures the wastewater meets high standards before being discharged to Shap Beck.
The bio reactor has been fitted at United Utilities' brand new £13milion wastewater treatment works at Shap.
Picture: Simon Povey on Shap bio reactor
Project manager Simon Povey said the quality of water being returned to the tiny Shap Beck had vastly improved since the new works came on line at the end of September.
"Shap Beck is so small that the treated wastewater discharged to it, potentially has a much greater effect, because there is less dilution than in larger rivers. That means that standard of treatment has to be that much higher, especially in terms of substances like ammonia and phosphorus.
"Membrane bio reactors are not new, and they're not suitable for use in all situations but here in Shap the standards of treatment need to be very high because Shap Beck is a particularly sensitive environment. It is part of the headwaters of the River Leith which feeds into the River Eden Special Area of Conservation.
The work has been carried out to meet tough new European standards which are monitored by the Environment Agency.
Jeremy Westgarth, Environment Manager for Cumbria said:
"The most common causes of water pollution are rain water that runs off agricultural and urban land, and the discharges of waste water from industry and sewage overflows. These developments will help to meet strict new European regulations to continue to improve our water quality."
Shap's existing 1960s sewage works, which is nearby on Pow Lane, will now be closed down and the site returned to grassland. Engineers are also constructing a new storm water storage tank , which will be finished in February.
Simon Povey added:
"This will help the beck too, by catching and storing sewage which would have overflowed to Shap Beck during heavy rain. This will be pumped back to the sewer when the rains subsides, so that it too can be treated at the new Wastewater Treatment Works before it is discharged fully treated to Shap Beck." added Simon.
The buildings at the new site have been sensitively designed to match nearby traditional agricultural buildings.
The new Shap WwTW was designed by United Utilities Engineering team supported by MWH. Detailed design and construction was carried out by the KMI+ Alliance, United Utilities AMP5 delivery partner. The membrane units were supplied by GE.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
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.
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.