Middlesbrough - Local Action

We are making significant investments in the Middlesbrough area to improve water quality and infrastructure.

Specifically, we’ve invested at eight sites (Kirklevington, Teesside Airport, Longnewton, Fishburn, Chilton Lane, Bishop Middleham, Sedgefield, Carlton and Redmarshall) in the Tees catchment, between 2020 to 2025, to remove phosphates, and these improvements will continue with another set of four investments (Stainton, Great Broughton (Leven), Aycliffe (Skerne) and Stressholme) from 2025 to 2030.  

Our goal is to prevent pollution and sewage from entering rivers and seas across our region. 

• Storm overflows are an important part of our wastewater network because they protect customers’ homes and the environment. They operate automatically as a relief system during heavy rain or storm conditions, or if the sewers are overwhelmed because of more water or blockages and reduce the risk of flooding to streets, homes, and businesses.  
• Watch our storm overflow information video (opens new window).
• Our digital interactive map (opens new window) shows up-to-date storm overflow information across the region. You can also watch our launch video of the map (opens new window).
• Information on our plans for Storm Overflows can be viewed on the national storm overflow interactive map (opens new window).
• The storm overflows in the Middlesbrough area we will be investing in over the next five years are:   

1. Egglescliffe Bank combined sewer overflow                          
2. Teesside High School pumping station                           
3. Quarry Plantation (above Cliff Gardens)                           
4. Teesbank Avenue                                       
5. Spring Way combined sewer overflow                          
6. Darlington combined sewer overflow                              
7. Grays Road combined sewer overflow                          
8. Londonderry Road/Green Lane combined sewer overflow                  
9. Station Street combined sewer overflow                          
10. Tilery Storm Sewage Pumping Station                           
11. Queensport Close combined sewer overflow

We are working hard to reduce flooding risk in Middlesbrough.   

• Our partners, Mott MacDonald Bentley (opens new window), are helping us with this important work. They have a great track record, and we get positive customer feedback wherever they work. 
• We will install 165m of new sewer pipe along Bow Street and Gresham Road. Starting in November 2024, this work will take around seven months to complete. It will require road closures, diversions and temporary parking bay suspension. Thank you for your patience during this time if you live in this area.   
• Want to find out more? Pop in to our drop-in session at Newport Community Hub, St Paul’s Road, Middlesbrough TS1 5NQ on Monday 21 October between 3pm and 6pm, where you can ask the team more questions about the project.
• Our site compound will be located at Canon Park Industrial Estate, just off Marsh Street. We will access our working area on Gresham Road, via Derwent Street and Union Street. To find out more, visit our Community Portal (opens new window). 

   

Across the North East, including the Tees catchment, we need to move towards a more sustainable catchment and nature-based solutions.

And not rely solely on concrete and chemicals which cost our customers money and create carbon emissions. 

We also want to help others do their part to protect our environment.

• That’s why we’ve established the Thriving Catchments initiative, and are working with the national Rivers Trust, our local Tees Rivers Trust, Durham Wildlife Trust and other local partners and farmers and land managers to look at managing pollutants in the Tees catchment before they get to the river. This includes investigating sources of pollution throughout the Tees. 
• Since its initiation in 2014 under the Catchment Based Approach (opens new window), we’ve played a key role in catchment management as part of the Tees Catchment Partnership (opens new window). 
• We share plans, activities and aspirations with partners to improve the river and its tributaries and the communities around them.
• We’re co-funding a full time Catchment Manager with the Tees Rivers Trust from April this year. They are working on focus areas within the Thriving Catchments programme. 

Bluespaces are water environments accessible to customers via road, footpath, bridleway, other public rights of way, or at a country park or beach.  

• The Tees catchment has almost 1,000km of Bluespaces for the public to enjoy. These areas are important to our customers, and more valued than ever, so we’re committed to working with other organisations to deliver the improvements these places need.
• We made a pledge to improve 500km of Bluespaces for our customers by 2030. By 2025 we’ll be half way there, after completing over 70 projects through partners, and we have big ambitions for delivering impactful projects where they are most needed in the second half of the programme. 
• We encourage our customers and local groups to let us know where and what these should be, so we can include these in our plans with partners. If you have any ideas, get in touch by emailing: bluespaces@nwl.co.uk  

If you live in Middlesbrough, your drinking water comes from a combination of sources, including reservoirs, rivers, and underground aquifers. We ensure the water meets high-quality standards, making it safe to drink.  

• Your water starts its journey in the stunning area of Upper Teesdale, home to some of England’s rarest upland plants and the impressive waterfalls of High and Low Force.   
• Rainfall collected in open-air reservoirs in Upper Teesdale, and water from the River Tees is moved to our water treatment works by a series of pipes and pumps.   

The Branch Out fund supports local projects that protect local ecosystems by building their resilience to climate change – bringing benefits to local people.  

• Enhancing and linking habitats will help local flora and fauna be better placed to deal with climate change.   
• If you, or your organisation, are involved in a project doing this, then the Branch Out Fund might be able to help you!  Applications for grants of anywhere between £1 - £10,000 are very welcome. You can read the guidance notes (opens new window) on the sorts of projects that quality for grant funding.
• Email applications to Branchout@NWL.co.uk 

Saving water protects our local environment by limiting the amount of water we must remove.

• We will be encouraging local people to use water wisely and promoting the benefits of water meters.
• A water meter could reduce the amount of water you use by up to 20% saving you an average £264 a year on your bill.
• To find out if a water meter is right for you, why not try our water usage calculator to see if it can save you money.

Even after our planned big investments we still expect bills in the North East to be the lowest in England.

• We know our communities are facing a cost-of-living crisis with food, housing, transport, and other bills going up.
• We are committed to helping those that need it most. If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay their bills, please talk to us. There are lots of ways we can help.
• Try our eligibility checker to find out which of our financial support schemes you may be eligible for.

Are you passionate about caring for our local waterways and making a difference in your community? If you are then why not become a Water Ranger?

• Water Rangers are an enthusiastic group of local volunteers who roll up their sleeves and take positive local action by reporting any issues and notable wildlife they see in and around our local rivers and streams.  
• Don’t delay, email waterrangers@nwl.co.uk to join today.

We think it’s important to give back to make a positive impact in our local communities.

• All our team at Northumbrian Water are encouraged to volunteer to support community groups and charities through our Just an Hour scheme.
• This important initiative gets our teams out in the communities we serve, putting their shoulders to the wheel of great causes - people choose causes that resonate with them personally - for at least 15 hours a year.
• Find out more about Just an Hour (opens new window).