You've done it! Your persistent pleas for the area’s water to be made softer again have persuaded bosses to make a U-turn.

United Utilities had been faced with a huge community backlash since it changed the West Cumbrian supply without warning in June, mixing soft water from Ennerdale with harder borehole water in Egremont.

Petitions were launched, groups set up to fight the decision and even calls made for protests and public inquiries, as people maintained the change had left them with a long list of health problems.

United Utilities introduced the change after the Environment Agency said it must reduce the amount taken from Ennerdale to protect the environment.

The company has now acted on the public’s concerns and announced this week it will once again provide a softer blend of water.

It has sent letters to thousands of households in Copeland explaining the situation, and water bosses have apologised to customers for the “concern generated” by not informing them of the initial change.

Dr Martin Padley, water and scientific services director at United Utilities, said: “We made the original changes to the supply to meet a requirement to reduce the amount of water taken from Ennerdale and so improve the ecology of the River Ehen.

“All our tests have consistently shown the water to be of the usual high quality, but we have taken on board the concerns of our customers who said they didn’t like the harder water.”

A company spokesman added the water is already a lot softer than a few weeks ago and the “target blend” will be reached in September.

Campaigners who have been tirelessly calling for softer water to be brought back to the area have welcomed the news – but are still demanding more answers.

Wayne McCarron leads the West Cumbria Water Supply campaign group on Facebook. He said the reintroduction of softer water is a “step in the right direction” but is calling for further details about what measures will be put in place to monitor the water.

“Only time will tell whether this softer blend will be enough to resolve the problems caused by the change and I hope that it does,” he said. “However, if the problems continue we will be looking to improve the mix further, if not eradicate borehole water from our supply altogether.”

The water change first came to light in early June when people reported issues of popping kettles, itchy skin, upset stomachs and scum on the top of their water.

The Whitehaven News contacted United Utilities, who revealed there had been a change in water.

Copeland’s MP Trudy Harrison and mayor Mike Starkie had been inundated with concerns from residents since the change.

Last week they attended a meeting with United Utilities, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and DEFRA and Mrs Harrison presented a petition which had gathered thousands of signatures.

The softer blend will be maintained until 2022 when a new pipeline bringing water from Thirlmere reservoir comes on line.

United Utilities said the only time the proportion of borehole water would be increased will be in drought when the level of Ennerdale reaches a certain low point.