Concern reservoir changes 'will put town at risk'
Lynne JonesProposed changes to the way a reservoir is managed for environmental reasons could increase flood risk, residents have warned.
Water firm United Utilities is seeking to renew its licences from the Environment Agency (EA) to take water from Thirlmere reservoir in the Lake District.
As part of this, the company said it wanted to end an agreement it had made in 2008 with locals about the way it managed the reservoir to reduce flood risk in Keswick. But Lynne Jones - who chairs a local action group - said the potential move would put the town "desperately at risk".
United Utilities said it was working with the EA and residents to protect both locals and the environment.
As part of a voluntary agreement made in 2008 with local activists Keswick Flood Action Group, which Jones heads, United Utilities purposely lowers the levels of Thirlmere reservoir so it is less likely to over-top during periods of heavy rain.
It was the main factor responsible for a reduction in the frequency and magnitude of high flows in St John's Beck, a local tributary, according to a report the water firm submitted as part of its licence renewal application.
"We've never flooded from the river if there has been space in the reservoir," said Jones.
However, United Utilities is seeking to end this.
'Good for salmon'
A spokesperson said the EA and environmental specialists had advised the firm the scheme had "negative environmental impacts" and it would not be able to get a license to take water from the reservoir if it was "knowingly" causing environmental harm.
The United Utilities-commissioned report said in order to better meet EA guidance about refreshing river channels and redistributing bed surfaces, allowing the reservoir to over-top more regularly would be the easiest way to achieve this.
It said one of the benefits of higher flows, refreshed river channels and redistributed bed surfaces in St John's Beck would be to increase migration opportunities for Atlantic salmon.
Jones disputed the figures used by United Utilities to make its conclusion.
"Their attitude is if the reservoir over-tops and it floods the community - that's an act of God," she said. "And we're saying to them - no it's a choice."
The EA said it was considering the water firm's licence renewal application and responses it had received as part of a consultation process on the issue.
It said independent of this, it was working to try and achieve continued flood risk benefit from Thirlmere reservoir.