Healthy improvement work

07/03/2007

Essential improvement work will maintain the flow of a healthy ingredient for thousands of people in Newcastle.

Northumbrian Water is to renew 42 kilometres of water main which serves 7,500 properties in Wallsend and Walkerville.

The £1.6 million scheme, which will begin on Monday March 12 and last up to twelve months, will not only safeguard water supplies for future generations but will also improve water quality.

Customers are invited to find out more about the work and raise any questions or concerns they may have at two drop-in customer information sessions which are being held on:
 
• Wednesday March 7 2007 at the Wallsend Peoples Centre, 10 Frank Street, Wallsend from 2.00pm to 8.00pm and on;

• Thursday March 8 2007 at Walkerville Community Association, 6 Pinewood Close, Appletree Gardens, Walkerville from 2.00pm to 8.00pm.

Ken Rutledge, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said: “Carrying out this essential improvement work will ensure excellent quality tap water continues to reach customers’ taps.  It is recommended that everyone drinks at least eight glasses of 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 Wallsend and Walkerville will use technology which avoids digging open trenches.  Plastic pipe will replace the existing cast iron main, which is more durable with a longer life expectancy.”

Customers affected 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.