Low Fell - Local Action

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, storm conditions, or if the sewers are overwhelmed because of more water or blockages and reduce the risk of flooding.
• 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 significant investment we have planned between 2025 to 2030 in accordance with our Storm Overflow Reduction Plan, will reduce storm overflows by an average of 10 per annum.  

If you live in Low Fell, your drinking water typically comes from the Great Southern and Hallingtons group of reservoirs and supported by the River Tyne and Kielder reservoir as needed.

• Kielder Water reservoir, which is one of the largest artificial lakes in Northern Europe and was constructed between 1975 and 1981. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982.  The water is treated and supplied by us, ensuring it meets all safety and quality standards before it reaches your tap.  
• Your drinking water is treated at the Whittle Dene Water Treatment Works. This facility ensures that the water meets all safety and quality standards before it reaches your home.
• Birtley Sewage Treatment Works treats the wastewater from Low Fell and surrounding areas

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

• Specifically, we have invested £5.25 million in Whittle Dene Water Treatment Works to enhance the resilience and quality of water supplies. This includes the installation of two new tanks and upgrades to other treatment processes.
• We have also invested £3.5 million at Wark Sewage Treatment Works to increase the capacity of the site. This will help manage increased levels of sewage and rainwater due to population growth and climate change, protecting the River Tyne from pollution. 

Since the start of our Catchment Based Approach in 2014, we’ve played a key role in catchment management as part of the Tyne Catchment Partnership, sharing plans and activities with partners to improve the river and its contributing areas, including supporting local sub-catchment partnerships for the River Don and Ouseburn, and our work through the South Tyne Holistic Catchment project.

• We 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 Tyne Rivers Trust, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and other local partners and farmers and land managers to look at managing pollutants in the Tyne catchment before they get to the river.
• This includes investigating sources of pollution throughout the Tyne which also impact drinking water sources for our abstraction upstream of Low Fell.

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

• We made a pledge to improve 500km of Bluespaces for our customers by 2030. By 2025 we’ll be halfway there, after completing over 70 projects through partners, and we have big ambitions for delivering positively impactful projects where they are most needed in the second half of the programme. 
• So far, since its initiation in 2020, Bluespaces has helped deliver over 5,000 volunteer days and engaged over 700 volunteers across 40 projects. Our co-funding has helped plant nearly 8,000 new trees, created over 400 hectares of new wetland, and helped tackle eight different kinds of invasive non-native species (INNS), as well as enhancing access and recreational facilities for local communities. 
• Please visit www.nwg.co.uk/responsibility/environment/bluespaces/our-scheme for more information on Bluespaces.  
• We encourage our customers and local groups to let us know where and what these should be. If you have any ideas, get in touch by emailing Bluespaces@nwl.co.uk

Bluespaces in the Tyne catchment 

We have already invested £168,000 in the Tyne catchment to improve access, biodiversity and water quality to improve 31 km of Bluespaces through a number of projects led by various partners.  

Completed Projects so far near Low Fell: 

•    Milkwellburn Wood (2023-2024) – 0.4 km, led by Durham Wildlife Trust 
•    Newcastle Quayside (2022-2023) – 0.8 km, led by Groundwork North East 
•    Woolsington Parish Ponds (2023-2024) – 0.4 km, led by Woolsington Parish Council 

Current Projects: Ebchester Riverside Access (2023-2025) – 0.4 km, led by the National Trust 

The Branch Out fund supports projects that protect local ecosystems. Enhancing and linking habitats protects local flora and fauna by building their resilience to 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

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 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 are encouraged to volunteer to support community groups and charities through our Just an Hour scheme.
• This initiative gets our teams out in the communities we serve, supporting 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).