The Nutrient Neutrality Northwest Partnership is pleased to announce the appointment of Burrow Environmental and Our Rivers (a joint venture between Nutrient Neutral and Hutchinson Environmental Services) as the approved contractors for the delivery of the Package Treatment Plant (PTP) Replacement Programme across the nutrient neutrality catchments in Cumbria.
The programme forms a key part of the Partnership’s wider mitigation measures under the Nutrient Neutrality initiative in Cumbria, which is being delivered using some of the £16.4 million funding awarded to the Partnership from the Government’s Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund. The scheme will directly support developers in meeting the requirements for nutrient mitigation, helping unlock stalled planning applications while improving water quality.
The nutrient credits generated will be made available to developers to purchase via a credit scheme planned to be launched in the second half of 2025.
Upgrading outdated or underperforming private wastewater systems, such as septic tanks and small treatment plants, will also help reduce the amount of phosphorus entering local watercourses - key contributors to poor ecological health in protected habitats.
The two contractors were selected following a competitive tender process, with Burrow Environmental carrying out early engagement events in late May/early June. Our Rivers have also now commenced work and will be carrying out their own community engagement events in the following weeks. Both companies bring extensive experience in environmentally sensitive infrastructure and wastewater management, as well as undertaking similar works for other local authorities also dealing with the issue of nutrient neutrality.
Fergus McMorrow, Nutrient Neutrality Programme Lead at Westmorland and Furness Council, speaking on behalf of the partnership, said:: “I am pleased at the appointment of Burrow Environmental and the Our Rivers who will progress the delivery of this important element in our nutrient mitigation programme. Replacing ageing septic tanks and treatment systems not only protects our important natural environment but also supports the release of much-needed housing in areas affected by nutrient neutrality requirements”.
Further updates and information about the programme will be published on the partnership’s website in the coming weeks.