A NEW state-of-the-art sewage system will benefit wildlife in an Eden river, according to United Utilities.

A storm detention tank is among the improvements incorporated into the £13million re-development to be built in Shap by September 2011.

The tank will stop storm water – run off from rain or snow which accumulates debris – chemicals, sediment or other pollutants from entering Shap Beck, which feeds the River Leith and the wider River Eden Special Area of Conservation.

The project will also help reduce harmful phosphorus from entering the river system, improving habitats for river wildlife.

United Utilities' new treatment works will replace Shap's sewage plant which was built in the 1960s.

Although the current plant has served about 1,200 homes and businesses for around 50 years, it is not suitable for the increasingly tough standards of treatment which will soon be required by the Environment Agency as part of the European Habitats Directive.

Cumbria wastewater catchment manager Martin Williams said Shap's new treatment works was part of a five-year investment programme by United Utilities to improve water quality and the environment.

Improvements in sewage works at Hawkshead are currently underway and there are plans for re-development to systems in Bowness, Grange and Elterwater.

Mr Williams said: “Once Shap's new treatment works are finished the quality of the treated wastewater we return to the River Leith will be better than ever before."

Joanne Backshall, conservation officer with Eden Rivers Trust, said: “UU are doing quite a lot of new sewage systems and we’re absolutely delighted that it will improve the rivers for wildlife.

“We’re particularly interested in the native white-clawed crayfish but it will also be really good for fish and otters among others.”