Clean green screens
20/07/2007
Work to upgrade the sewer network and improve river water quality in Northumberland is underway.
Northumbrian Water is investing £1.7 million to upgrade 400 metres of sewer pipe, replace six combined sewer overflows and upgrade two more in the Ashington, Bedlington and Bedlington Station areas.
The work, which will take up to seven months to complete, will improve water quality to the rivers Wansbeck, Blyth and Sleekburn.
Combined sewer overflows are designed, and consented by the Environment Agency, to discharge diluted wastewater into watercourses in times of heavy rainfall to protect properties and land from flooding.
Graeme Ridley, Northumbrian Water’s project manager, said: “This improvement scheme is a further demonstration of Northumbrian Water’s commitment to protecting and improving the environment.
“The eight new and upgraded combined sewer overflows will now all be screened and significantly reduce any negative environmental impact if the overflows discharge at times of very heavy rain.”
It will be necessary to have traffic management in place at the junction of Newbiggin Road, Milburn Road and Nursery Park, South Ashington, from Monday, July 23 2007 for up to five months. Northumbrian Water will make every effort, through careful planning with Northumberland County Council and Wansbeck Council, to minimise any inconvenience.
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.
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.
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For further information please contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.