Darlington  - Local Action

Hello Darlington

Thank you to everyone who attended our event.

 

Working hard with partners and local people in their communities, we are restoring and regenerating our natural environment, creating an even better place to live and work through our local actions.

 

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

Here are some key projects:

This project involves constructing approximately 60km of new pipeline to replace old mains, improving water quality and network resilience for around 50,000 properties in Darlington and surrounding areas. 

  • Plans for the second phase of a £155m water pipeline upgrade in and around Stockton and Darlington were showcased at a series of events in June as the company prepared to submit planning applications. The events, including at Whessoe, Sadberge and Summerhouse, gave customers an opportunity to meet the project team to learn more about the plans.
  • The project aims to upgrade and futureproof our water supply network across the south of County Durham and into Teesside.
  • The project includes replacing some sections of the network that are more than 100 years old and installing 57km of new pipes, ultimately connecting Lartington Water Treatment Works with our existing network that serves Teesside.
  • This will ensure around 200,000 customers in these areas continue to receive clean, clear, and great tasting tap water, each and every day. Phase 1, connecting Lartington with Gainford, and across to Shildon, is already under construction. Phase 2 will link Gainford with Longnewton service reservoir, Stockton.
  • The planning application will be submitted to Darlington and Stockton Council’s by the end of September.
  • Subject to planning, construction on Phase 2 is expected to begin in Summer 2025, running until 2028.
  • We are working with partners Stantec and Mott MacDonald on the project, as well as planning consultants Lichfields and land agents Bell Ingram
Over £10 million is being invested in upgrades at Chilton Lane, Fishburn, and Bishop Middleham Sewage Treatment Works. These upgrades will enhance water quality in the River Skerne catchment. 

  • Further investments include £4.5 million at Sedgefield Sewage Treatment Works and £1.3 million at Bishopton Sewage Treatment Works, benefiting water quality in the Billingham Beck catchment.
  • These projects aim to enhance the performance of treatment works, improve the quality of effluent returned to the environment, and boost the resilience of wastewater services across the area. 

 

The River Tees catchment has a number of waterbodies where improvements to river water quality are needed, enabling them to meet Good Ecological Status, a classification given as part of the Water Framework Directive.  

  • We have been investing at our sewage treatment works to improve the quality of treated wastewater flowing into the river Tees and Skerne. 
  • We’ve invested at eight sites (Kirklevington, Teesside Airport, Longnewton, Fishburn, Chilton Lane, Bishop Middleham, Sedgefield, Carlton and Redmarshall) in the freshwater Tees catchment (STWs impacting the river Tees) over the past five years to remove phosphates, and these improvements will continue with another set of four investments (Stainton, Great Broughton (Leven), Aycliffe (Skerne) and Stressholme) to 2030.  
  • However, we are also moving towards more sustainable catchment and nature-based solutions, not just relying on concrete and chemicals which cost our customers money and have high carbon emissions.
  • That’s why we’ve established the Thriving Catchments initiative, and are working with The Rivers Trust (national), 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 and its tributaries before they get to the river. 
  • Our work will also include investigating sources of pollution throughout the Tees which also impact drinking water sources for our abstraction upstream at Darlington.   
  • We continuously monitor water quality to better understand how storm overflows and wastewater treatment plant discharges affect our local environment. This helps us identify areas where improvements are needed. By doing this, we can also see how actions taken by others upstream affect our water, allowing us to develop strategies that protect and improve the quality of our rivers, lakes, and streams. 
  • Over the next ten years, Darlington will have eight river water quality monitors deployed to assess our impact in the area. 
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 two water treatment works, Lartington, based near Barnard Castle, and Broken Scar, in Darlington, process the water through several stages to make sure every drop is treated to the highest standard. 
  • If you live in the centre of Darlington, all your water will come from our Broken Scar water treatments works, and if you live in the surrounding area, your water will be a blend of water from Lartington water treatment works and from Broken Scar.
  • From the treatment works, the water is moved through a network of water mains to a number of service reservoirs (treated water storage tanks) across Teesside. The treated water is stored there until we need to push it along our huge network of pipes to your home so that when you turn on the tap, you’ve always got clean, clear, and great tasting water. 
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.  
  • In our next investment plan 2025 to 2030, we want to invest £4.5bn across our business - our biggest ever package to improve water and wastewater services – as we work to reduce the use of storm overflows and improve bathing waters. Storm overflows included in our plan for consideration are at Neasham Road and Yarm Road. Seven other storm overflows are on the plan for 2030-35.     
  • Watch our storm overflow information video (opens new window).
  • At the end of April, we launched our digital interactive map (opens new window) to show 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).
Our Bluespaces initiative involves working with local partners to address issues like water quality, habitat restoration, and community engagement in places where our customers can enjoy being by water. By improving these areas, we create better spaces for wildlife and people to enjoy. 

  • The Bluespaces Caring for Cocker Beck project in Darlington, led by Friends of the Denes focuses on enhancing the Cocker Beck as it flows through six woodland and riverside areas, through improving accessibility on site, including new seating and surfaced footpaths, habitat improvements to encourage wildlife, and community events. 

 

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)
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