A NEW pipeline which will introduce a different source of water supply to the area has been delayed due to final checks on the line.

The West Cumbria pipeline will start to supply Cumbrian with drinking with water from Thilmere resevoir.

The new dates to supply will begin in three stages, now phase one will begin from June 2022, phase two will start in August 2022 and phase three will begin from September.

The anticipated phasing will see area's such as Ireby in the phase one stage, areas of Allerdale from Silloth down to Workington and Frizington will be part of phase two and areas from Whitehaven down to Bootle will start from September.

A United Utilities spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, due to delays relating to coronavirus, there will be a slight delay in the new water supply coming into service.

“The first customers will now start to receive their water from Thirlmere in June with all other customers expected to be on the new supply from September. We will be writing to all customers ahead of their areas switching to the new supply to keep them updated.

“This seven-year project is one of the largest feats of engineering United Utilities has ever undertaken and it has been delivered against the backdrop of a global pandemic which has had an unprecedented impact on work forces and the supply chain. For the project to be delivered only slightly behind schedule is a credit to our teams and contractors who have worked tirelessly to deliver this new, more sustainable water supply for West Cumbria.”

United Utilities have said that there is nothing that residents need to do in advance of the change of water supply and people should not notice any interruption to the water supply when the water supply switches.

The provider also said that they would be in touch with residents nearer to the time the changes being implemented.