02/05/2008

River water quality is to be improved as major work begins at a County Durham sewage treatment works.

Northumbrian Water is investing £17 million to upgrade Stressholme sewage treatment works in Darlington.

The work, which began this week, will take up to two years to complete and improve water quality of the River Tees.

Stressholme sewage treatment works treats wastewater from 100,000 people in Darlington and, once the improvement scheme is complete, it will have the capability to treat up to 70 million litres of wastewater per day – 805 litres per second.

Nigel Watts, project manager for the multi-million-pound scheme, said:  “River water quality is strictly regulated and this work is being carried out to meet ever-increasing quality standards and will vastly improve the efficiency of the works which was built in the 1930s.

“The work will involve upgrading filter screens used in the first stage of treatment, construction of new secondary treatment units, major electrical and control enhancements and installation of five new pumping stations.”

Construction traffic will access the site via a new road, off the A167, which was built as part of the improvement scheme last year.  Anyone who has queries about the work should ring the Northumbrian Water Customer Centre on 0845 717 1100.

It is very unlikely that anyone from the water company will need to gain access into customers’ homes while the work is being carried out at Stressholme sewage treatment works.  If customers are in any doubt of a caller claiming to be from the water company, they should not let them into their home.  They should ring the company’s customer centre to confirm the caller’s identity.

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