The water supply in west Cumbria has now reverted back to its original lake water-to-ground sources ratio.

United Utilities has announced that due to increased rainfall recently, they have been able to change the borehole water blend ratio in the household supply.

They have written to residents in west Cumbria to let them know of the change.

A spokesman said: “United Utilities has written to residents in west Cumbria to let them know that their water supply has returned to its usual softer blend. The change came in last week.”

The spokesman added: “Recent heavy rainfall has increased the levels of water available in Ennerdale Lake, meaning the amount of borehole water used for supply can now be reduced.”

The level of borehole water had been increased to a 50/50 split during the dryer weather when there was less lake water, but has now returned to a 80/20 ratio, with 80 per cent of water coming from Ennerdale Lake and 20 per cent from ground water sources.

Their spokesman said it costs the company more to use the borehole water than lake water, as it uses more electricity to pump out the water from the ground.

By 2022 Ennerdale lake will cease as a source of water for domestic properties and businesses. The Environment Agency will withdraw the abstraction licence for Ennerdale.

After this time west Cumbria will be linked from Thirlmere with more than 100km of pipes, new treatment works, pumping stations and underground service reservoirs.

The works are to minimise long term environmental impact, as Ennerdale and its lake play host to protected species.

The United Utilities website said: “Unless we reduce the amount of water we take from these naturally occurring water sources, we risk doing long-term damage to the wildlife that uses them.

The organisation is continuing its challenge to get households to reduce their daily water usage in return for a charity donation.

The spokesman added: “Even though the weather has turned colder and wetter, United Utilities is standing by its charity challenge to encourage residents to use water wisely.

“If residents of Allerdale and Copeland can each save 15 litres of water a day, the company will donate £25,000 to Hospice at Home West Cumbria.”