Healthy investment

09/02/2006

HEALTHY INVESTMENT

Essential work to improve the water supply to thousands of properties in Newcastle will ensure families have a healthy drink on tap.

Northumbrian Water is to renew 18 kilometres of water pipes serving 3,000 properties in Battle Hill, Wallsend, at a cost of £900,000.

This work, which will begin on Monday February 20 and last up to eight months, will improve water quality and safeguard water supplies for future generations.

Dave Ingle, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said: “Water is vital for a healthy life and by carrying out this essential improvement work we will ensure it reaches customers’ taps.  It is recommended that everyone drinks at least eight glasses of tap water a day to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“As part of our five-year investment programme 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 essential improvement work taking place in Battle Hill will use technology that avoids digging open trenches.  Plastic pipe will replace the existing cast iron main, which is more durable with a longer life expectancy.”

Customers who are going to be affected by this work will soon receive further information and advice in writing.  If customers, especially those with special needs, have any queries or concerns relating to the work they should ring the Northumbrian Water customer centre.

Bogus callers are known to 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.

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 password.  They should either ring the customer centre or log onto www.nwl.co.uk to register.

For further information please contact Joanne Dye on 0191 301 6733.

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Photo caption: Essential improvement work ensures families have a healthy drink on tap