Investment on tap

12/01/2006

Work to improve the water supply to thousands of properties in Newcastle upon Tyne is to begin next week.

Northumbrian Water will upgrade 50 kilometres of water main serving 6,000 properties in Walker at a cost of £2.5 million.

Work will begin on Monday January 16, lasting for up to 12 months to improve water quality and safeguard the water supply for future generations.

Project manager, Ken Rutledge, said:  “Over the next five years we are going to upgrade 2,500 kilometres of water main throughout our supply area from Berwick down to North Yorkshire and across to the Pennines. 

“The improvement scheme in Walker is one of the larger schemes and, where possible, we will use technology which avoids digging long open trenches.  Cast iron main will be replaced with plastic pipe, which is more durable and does not erode, so has a longer life span.  Customers affected by this work will receive detailed information this week.”

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 the work in Walker 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.  For further peace of mind, customers can also register a password – if anyone from the water company needs to access a registered customer’s home they will know the word.  They should either ring the customer centre or log onto www.nwl.co.uk

For further information please ring Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.