Local Action - Berwick

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).
•  We have also started a ground-breaking £20m project which is set to significantly reduce spills from storm overflows across Tyneside.
• The project, which is set to be the first of its kind in the UK, will see a combination of new technology, sensors and AI analytics used to lower the risk of overflows happening.
• The “smart sewer” will help to reduce the impact of storm overflows on the region’s rivers and keep the high standards of the region’s bathing waters – with 33 of the region’s 35 bathing water currently meeting Defra’s top two standards of Excellent and Good.

If you live in Berwick-upon-Tweed, your drinking water comes from the Murton Water Treatment Works (WTW). This facility is fed by six boreholes.

Murton Water Treatment Works has undergone significant upgrades as part of our investment programme. Completed in September 2020, the upgrades included: 

• Installing pressure filters and chemical dosing systems. 
• Electrical work like cable containment, high bay lighting, and outdoor lighting. 
• Improving wastewater and contact tanks. 

These upgrades ensure a reliable and high-quality water supply for the Berwick area.

We’re investing c.£4.5bn in total in the region.  

• This is the largest investment programme in the last 30 years.  
• c.£1.1bn of this will reduce the use of storm overflows and improve bathing water quality. 
• c.£8m will be spent on improving drinking water quality.  
• c.£7.5m extra to reduce leakage.  
• We’ll protect our network from power failures and flooding by investing £127m in adapting for climate change.  
• We will invest £50m to repair and replace the aging network of water pipes – including lead pipes. 

By 2035, all water meters will be smart, with all water companies across the UK rolling them out over the next ten years.

• We started to install smart meters in our operating areas in 2021. In Berwick, we are replacing meters that are more than ten years old with smart meters. This new technology will allow us to take regular readings, making sure billing is more accurate for our customers.  
• If you don’t currently have a meter, but choose to have one, you will receive a smart meter.   
• Currently, 48% of all properties (43% of household properties) in Berwick are metered. We will only be replacing meters that are over ten years old and will return in the future to replace the remaining meters. 
• To support the installation of smart meters, we are working with our delivery partner, Connexin, to make sure there is a network in place for smart meters to interact with. 
• The first step in this project is for Connexin to survey and assess where we need to install the technology needed to make sure smart meters can connect to a network in future. 
• This technology works like other similar wireless networks with data transmitted between the smart meters and our network using radio frequency. 
• Wherever possible, Connexin will use existing poles (or street furniture) to house this technology. Sometimes it’s not possible for them to do this and the installation of a new pole is needed. 
• This could be because there are no pre-existing poles in an area or because any poles already in place are not fit for the purpose we need. 
• The poles used are made of timber, just like those used for broadband. Instead of carrying wires, the poles hold the technology, which includes a solar panel (approximately 700mm wide) and a single white antenna. 
• We are working with local authorities to notify them in advance of any locations where a new pole is needed. This gives us the opportunity to work together to make sure the locations identified have the least impact on our communities. 
• In Berwick, Connexin will be working in the TD12, TD15 and NE71 postcode areas between the 23 May and 20 June 2025. 
• We will start installing smart meters in NE71, TD12, & TD15 from June 2025. We will have installed approximately 4,200 by February 2026. This includes household and commercial properties. 

What are the benefits of smart water meters? 

• You are in control and only ever pay for the water you use. It’s a fairer way to pay. 
• Tracking water usage can help you use up to 20% less water and save money. 
• By using less water and spotting leaks early, you can protect your home and local environment for now and for future generations. 
• By saving water, you could reduce your carbon footprint and energy bills. 
• Our app alerts you if your water usage shows a potential leak in your home. 
• You will be charged on actual readings – no more estimated bills when we’ve been unable to read your meter manually. 
• If you have an internal meter, we won’t need to visit your home to take a reading.  
• Learn more about meters and apply for one.
• Find out more about smart water meters.

We collaborate with the Tweed Forum, which focuses on integrated catchment management in the Tweed River basin. This partnership aims to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and reduce flood risk. 

• Water and Disturbance Environmental Restoration (WADER) Project: This multi-million-pound project, led by Natural England, involves us working to reduce nitrates entering the water from agriculture. The project focuses on the River Tweed catchment, Tweed Estuary and Northumberland Coast. 
• We have held workshops with catchment partnerships to align objectives and identify opportunities for collaboration. These workshops help integrate land management and water quality improvement efforts. 
• The Solway Tweed River Basin Management Plan, coordinated by SEPA, includes the Tweed River basin and emphasises partnership working with farmers, land managers, and other stakeholders to achieve a healthy and sustainable water environment.      

Wet wipes are the biggest cause of blockages and sewer flooding – including in Berwick.

You can make a big difference by doing one simple thing, instead of flushing it down the loo, bin the wipe.   

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

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.

• 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 teams 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).