The company is delivering a new project in Elterwater.
The scheme at Langdale Wastewater Treatment Works is part of a £200 million investment to upgrade wastewater infrastructure across the Windermere catchment.
Work will focus on improving water quality in Elterwater by reducing the frequency of storm overflow discharges from the site’s pumping station.
The upgraded works will permanently install Mobile Organic Biofilm (MOB) technology, which encourages naturally occurring bacteria to break down waste more effectively.
The system supports higher treatment volumes and improved effluent quality, reducing the need for storm overflow events.
Andrew Kendall, wastewater business lead for Cumbria at United Utilities, said: “This project shows how innovation can deliver real environmental improvements.
“By installing MOB technology at Langdale, we’re already achieving future regulatory standards, and it will now help reduce the number of times that the storm overflow operates, helping to improve water quality in Elterwater and Windermere for the long term.”
Environmental performance has already improved following a 12-month trial of the technology, said EA.
Ammonia levels in treated wastewater were consistently reduced to meet Environment Agency targets not due until 2030, it said.
A second phase of improvements is planned for later this year to further reduce phosphorus levels to the lowest technically achievable limits.
United Utilities’ investment forms part of its wider more than £13 billion commitment to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across the North West.
This long-term programme will protect and enhance over 500 kilometres of rivers, lakes and bathing waters, while safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.