Northumbrian Water is set to start work this month on the latest phase of a £28 million river protection project to improve water quality in the River Browney in County Durham.
Northumbrian Water is set to start work this month on the latest phase of a £28 million river protection project to improve water quality in the River Browney in County Durham.
The water company is investing £2.3 million in upgrades to its sewage treatment works (STW) at Witton Gilbert.
The work is part of a £28 million investment to help improve water quality in the Browney, which feeds into the River Wear. The water company is trialling a catchment-based approach to the protection of a number of the region’s rivers. This involves a greater focus on natural solutions that deliver better outcomes to water quality, while also improving biodiversity for the benefit of nature and local communities.
Northumbrian Water said this will increase sustainability by using less chemicals and energy - the solutions are being developed to accompany upgrades to seven sewage treatment works (STWs).
With work already complete on a £1.7 million investment at Crookhall STW, projects are ongoing at STWs in Knitsley, Lanchester and Aldin Grange, representing a further £16.2 million of enhancements. More than £7m more is to be spent on future planned work at Esh Winning and Browney STWs.
In addition to the end of pipe solutions, Northumbrian Water will work alongside local organisations and land managers to manage pollution from other sources, in an effort to get the river waterbodies to good ecological status.
Charles Harman, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager at Witton Gilbert, said:
“These upgrades at Witton Gilbert, alongside the investment at the other six sewage treatment works, form part of a bigger picture strategy to managing the protection of the Browney through a holistic, catchment-based approach.”
Work at the Witton Gilbert STW will take place within our site and is expected to take ten months to complete.
Sign In
