United Utilities Commits £6.m to Eel Protection in River Lune Pipework

A water provider, United Utilities, is set to allocate £6.m towards safeguarding eels from becoming trapped within its pipe systems. The company plans to install screens or rotating sieves on its equipment situated in the River Lune, near Caton and Halton, close to Lancaster. This measure aims to either prevent fish from entering the pipework or ensure their return to the water downstream. Endangered European eels, which begin their lives in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda before journeying to Europe and subsequently returning to their birthplace to reproduce two decades later, have seen a 95% decline in their population over the last 40 years. Stephen Walker, who heads water services for UU, stated that eels are an “important part of the river’s ecology”. He further added: “This project will play a vital role in supporting the eel population.” He elaborated that “The fish return system at Halton should return most fish back to the river, but just in case any bypass that system, the fine screens we are installing further upstream at Caton will protect those from being caught up in our underwater equipment.” UU also indicated that the three screens to be installed at Caton will provide protection for other fish and organisms, including salmon, trout, and shrimp, which are commonly found in the Lune. A similar initiative has also been implemented in Cumbria, where a system designed to protect wildlife from being caught in the water treatment process has been installed at Troutbeck.