The company will be building an underground tank to reduce the number of times that nine storm overflows in the Barrow area operate.
The 5500m3 tank is bigger than two Olympic sized swimming pools. The additional storage will allow stormwater to be stored so that it can be treated before being returned to the environment.
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The site compound and fencing has been put up around the construction site in the land situated between the allotments and Risedale Abbey Meadows Care Home.
As well as a tank, there will also be a new drainage network to separate surface water from the foul sewer network in the residential areas around Flass Lane. The company expects construction to take up to two years. Upon completion, the site will be landscaped.
It is one of a number of projects that are due to start around Barrow to improve water quality in the Walney Channel, Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea around Barrow. Over the next five years this will mean investment at 21 storm overflows in nine locations across Barrow.
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Fiona Edmondson, Regional Delivery Manager at United Utilities, said: “We’re committed to playing our part to improve water quality in the water courses and seas around Barrow. There will be a number of projects as we work towards this aim over the next five years.
“We’re excited by the project at Flass Lane as by building such a big tank in one location it is allowing us to cut storm overflow operations from nine sites whilst minimising disruption across the town.”
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It comes as United Utilities embarks on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure for a century. The company will be spending more than £13bn over the next five years to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.