Quality investment

08/04/2005

More than one million pounds is to be invested into improving Sunderland’s water supply.

The quality of the North East’s drinking water is among the best in the counrty.  To maintain and improve this standard, Northumbrian Water is to spend £1.5 million upgrading 22km of water main, some of which may be up to 100 years old, in the east end of Sunderland city centre and parts of Hendon.

The work, which will begin on 18 April 2005, will take up to eight months to complete and will improve water pressure, reduce leakage and safeguard water supplies for future generations. 

Customers are invited to come and find out more about the work and raise any questions or concerns they may have at a Customer Information Day to be held on Wednesday 13 April 2005 at the Crowtree Leisure Centre, Crowtree Road, Sunderland from 1.00pm to 7.00pm.

The water company will do all it can to minimise any inconvenience caused while this improvement work is carried out.  Northumbrian Water has worked closely with City of Sunderland Council and the bus company, Nexus, to plan any traffic management required.

Customers should be aware that bogus callers operate in Northumbrian Water’s supply area.  It is unlikely that anyone from the water company will need access into a customer’s property while this work is carried out.  If customers are in any doubt about the validity of a caller claiming to be from Northumbrian Water or the ‘water board’ they should ring the Northumbrian Water Customer Centre on 0845 717 1100.

Within the next few days, customers who are going to be affected by this work will receive further information and advice by letter.  If customers have any queries or concerns relating to the work they should ring the Northumbrian Water Customer Centre.

This is the first of two phases of improvement work – the second phase, to be carried out in the west end of the city centre, will be done within the next 18 months.  Further information on phase two of the scheme will be released when the details have been confirmed.

For further information contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.