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United Utilities (UU) is considering the future of its retired Cogra Moss reservoir as it launches a detailed study into the maintenance work it requires.
The reservoir was built in 1880 and was last used as a water source for homes and businesses in 1975, but a survey last year revealed it requires some essential maintenance work.
Since the reservoir retired from service 40 years ago, UU has continued to maintain the site which is used by local fishing clubs and is popular with locals.
Under the 1975 Reservoir Act, the water companies have a legal obligation to either carry out all necessary remedial work on a reservoir or to drain it and return it to its natural state.
The study will assess the cost of the work that is needed to the embankment and for essential equipment upgrades to allow the company to draw water from the reservoir in the event of an emergency or planned event. It will also assess the costs the company would face if it decides to drain the reservoir and proceed with a renaturalisation programme.
As well as looking at the costs of both options, the study will also asses the environmental and ecological impacts of each. The research is set to be completed in the coming weeks and a proposal on the future of the reservoir is due to be made by the end of September.
United Utilities stakeholder manager Gaynor Murphy said: “We know how passionately the community feels about Cogra Moss. Local people have been making their voices heard over recent weeks, and we’ve been listening.”
She added: “We want to arrive at the best long-term solution for the site, by balancing the needs of wildlife and local people and the financial implications of each option.”
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