Work is underway on a circa £155m investment by Northumbrian Water in upgrading and futureproofing its water supply network across the south of County Durham and into the Tees Valley.
The company’s ‘Project Pipeline: County Durham and Tees Valley’ project is one of the biggest projects undertaken by Northumbrian Water in recent years and adds resilience to the network connecting water treatment in Teesdale with customers across the south of the county and over into the Tees Valley.
This includes replacing sections of the network that have served the area for more than 100 years. A new replacement pipeline will be constructed, connecting Lartington Water Treatment Works with Gainford, and a new pipe will link underground reservoirs at Whorley Hill and Shildon, and up into Spennymoor.
This will ensure around 200,000 customers in this part of the North East continue to receive clean, clear and great tasting tap water every day.
Phase 1, which is being carried out by Northumbrian Water’s partner, Farrans, is due to begin in early 2023 and will continue until around the summer of 2025.
In preparation for the construction element of Phase 1 of the project, fencing and de-vegetation work is underway, along with the creation of a main project compound.
As the work progresses into new areas, customers living nearby will be kept up to date with progress and any impact that activities might have on them.
Plans for Phase 2 are currently in development. Scheduled to start in 2025, this will see a new pipeline constructed between Whorley Hill and Long Newton.
Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, James Dawes, said: “‘Project Pipeline: County Durham and Tees Valley’ represents a major investment in our water supply network to improve resilience and deliver for customers for generations to come.
“This start of work represents a significant milestone in a project that has been in the planning for a number of years, and which reflects our commitment to delivering great quality potable water for our customers.
“We also have some exciting plans being developed to ensure that this investment also delivers for the environment.”