A MULTI-million water treatment works has been opened to serve more than 40,000 people.

Built by United Utilities at Ridgaling, Pendle, the £19.5million works will pump water to people in Barrowford, Nelson and Colne.

Construction started 18 months ago and the new plant replaces the Barley works, which was built in 1912 and was too small to accommodate the necessary treatment processes to meet new standards.

United Utilities chief executive Philip Green, who officially opened the works, said: "This new treatment works at Ridgaling will bring even better water to thousands of people in the Pendle area.

"Across the North West, United Utilities is investing £2.9 billion in water quality and environmental improvements between 2005 and 2010 and this huge scheme is a great example of our commitment to our customers."

United Utilities said they kept local communities near the site posted about developments throughout the construction process.

Residents were kept fully informed of what was happening and lorries observed a 20mph speed limit.

The new treatment works was also designed to look like a farmhouse building, with local stone and oak cladding, so it would blend into the area. Some 7,000 trees and shrubs were also planted to screen the site.

Developed in conjunction with builders KMI, the project has been hailed a success.

KMI's framework director Kevin Cottam said he was delighted that the project had been finished without one lost-time accident taking place.

To recognise this achievement, Mr Cottam presented a cheque for £1,000 to Pendleside Hospice and cheques for £500 to Cancer Help and Diabetes UK.

He said: "I am extremely proud that the construction team has produced a flagship project without a lost-time accident.

"These three charities are close to the hearts of several members of our team."

United Utilities said the task of upgrading their largely Victorian network was enormous and they had major investments planned up to 2010.