Water abstraction

Increased domestic and industrial needs have resulted in large increases in the amount of water being taken from the river for use.

A large amount of abstraction occurs in the Eden catchment. United Utilities (UU) reported the average daily water consumption in the catchment is about 40 million litres.

About 20 million litres per day is abstracted from the River Eden at Cumwhinton and the River Gelt (via the Castle Carrock reservoir) to service the Carlisle area. 10 million litres per day is supplied from Haweswater (which is supplemented by Ullswater) to service the Penrith area and various springs and boreholes provide the remaining supplies.

United Utilities report that an average of 395 million litres per day, about 90% of the water abstracted, is sent outside the Eden catchment to other parts of North West England including South Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire. These abstractions are from Ullswater (via Haweswater) and the Haweswater catchment (including Wet Sleddale reservoir).

Water abstraction can cause problems for the environment. Drought causes serious problems for fish; in long hot summers some streams where young fish live can dry up. Low flow levels can also seriously affect the migration of adult fish into the river and into spawning areas and the migration of juvenile fish into larger streams as they mature.

We can all make a difference by conserving our water use. Have a look at 'little changes make a big difference' to see what simple things you can do.