THE source of the water to homes and businesses in Blackburn is set for an overhaul.

United Utilities will start construction in the summer on a new 10km pipeline which will supply water from Martholme Water Treatment Works near to Clayton-le-Moors.

Water is currently supplied to the town from the Brennand and Whitendale rivers, which are in the Forest of Bowland The project, which will take 18 months to complete, will cost £2.3 million.

The pipeline will run from the treatment works to north of Rishton, south of Wilpshire Road to the Ramsgreave Serve Reservoir. Jason Boyd, project manager for United Utilities, said: “We have to balance customers’ needs with the needs of the environment.

“This is a fantastic project which will protect these sensitive environments and ensuring that Blackburn residents continue to enjoy a high-quality water supply on tap.”

Two public exhibitions, which will let the residents examine the plans for the work and discuss them with representatives for the water company, will be taking place at Mercer Park, Charles Street on the Wednesday, June 12, with another on Thursday, June 13 at a venue which is yet to be confirmed.

Both of the sessions will run from 3pm to 7pm.

Tom Sandy, who lives in Blackburn, said: “As long as the water doesn’t change in taste then I don’t really mind where it comes from.

“I just want my water to be clean to drink.

“So the change of the water source isn’t too much a worry for me,” he added.

Information boards will also be installed in Warwick Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors, the entrance to Norden Playing Fields and also the gates found at Mercer Park, Oswaldtwistle.

The project is part of a wider scheme in partnership with the Environment Agency, which started in 2012, to increase water flow into the Brennand and Whitendale rivers.

That major project is aimed at helping migrating salmon and trout, as well as helping protectinge wider ecosystems.