Marske

We’re planning to invest almost £200m to significantly reduce spills from 14 storm overflows in our Marske catchment, and further inland in the Guisborough area.

• We will be looking at a range of solutions across 13 catchment and one Sewage Treatment Works outfall. Most of the SOs are coastal, requiring spills to be reduced to a maximum of two in-season spills per year.
• Within the Redcar, Marske and New Marske areas, the work is likely to involve extensive streetworks to upsize the sewer network and create new surface water sewers to separate rainwater from sewage, reducing spills.
• Work is anticipated to start in Spring/Summer 2027.

Smart networks allow us to use AI technology to divert flows during heavy rainfall, utilising less impacted areas of the network to hold excess rainwater, and reducing the risk of pipes over-filling, which causes spills.

• Our Smart Sewers project is the first of its kind in the UK, with it first being trialled in Tyneside with a £20m investment. Read more about this here.
• We have already put 258 monitors into the Marske catchment network to inform the actions we can take to use smart networks to drive spill reduction and potentially reduce the necessary work. The installation of smart interventions will begin this year.

Storm overflows are an important part of our wastewater network because they protect customers’ homes and the environment.

• They operate automatically as a relief system during heavy rain, storm conditions, or if the sewers are overwhelmed because of more water or blockages and reduce the risk of flooding.
• Our digital interactive map shows up-to-date storm overflow information across the region.

Our proposed long sea outfall project is intended to help reduce nutrient impacts affecting the Tees Estuary and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area.

• The pipeline will replace an existing pipe, which currently sees fully-treated water from our Bran Sands treatment works returned to the environment in the estuary at Dabholme Gut.
• While the water released from Bran Sands is carefully treated to meet strict standards before it is returned to the environment, moving its release 4.5km out to sea will significantly reduce the occurrence of those nutrients in sensitive parts of the estuary, where it can lead to macroalgae growth.
• As well as removing those nutrients from that sensitive area, it will see the water more widely diluted and dispersed within the open sea, helping to protect the estuary and its wildlife.
• An online Hub has been set up to keep up to date with the project and to engage with the team delivering it.

Our Marine Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) project is exploring how natural interventions can help improve water quality and support nutrient neutrality across the Tees Estuary, working closely with partners to identify where Northumbrian Water can add value to existing initiatives and environmental ambitions.

• We are undertaking feasibility studies for seaweed and shellfish farming in the Tees Estuary to assess their potential to remove nutrients from the water, while delivering wider environmental and economic benefits for the region.
• We are collaborating with environmental NGOs and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for intertidal habitat restoration, including saltmarsh and mudflat creation, which can enhance biodiversity, support climate resilience and improve estuary health.

If you live in Marske, your water is supplied by a combination of Broken Scar Water Treatment Works (WTW) and Lartington WTW.

If you live in Marske, your wastewater is treated at Marske STW.

• We are currently undertaking a £2.2m project at the site, involving tank upgrades and new pipework to ensure the site’s future resilience and that treated effluent returned to the environment meets strict standards.
• Two of the site's four large treatment tanks, known as Sequence Batch Reactors (SBRs), have already been replaced, with work on the third tank due to start in the next few months. All four tanks are expected to be completed by the end of March 2027.
• The new pipework is being manufactured by Middlesbrough-based Donoghue Tees Valley Engineering, while Redmarshall-based Mantank Environmental Services is carrying out cleaning and tankering work.

Wilder Coast 2022-2024 with the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.

• This award-winning project (2025 Bluespaces award winner) improved 7.7 km of the Tees Coast. The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust worked with partners through two project phases.
• In 2024 a new Wilder Coast Project Officer position was created and enabled further water environment and access improvements like the installation of new interpretation boards, benches or hedges. In its second phase the project boasted the involvement of 117 volunteers and costal citizen scientists encouraging education and positive environmental behaviours.
• We are a partner in the Tees Catchment Partnership, hosted by the Tees Rivers Trust, and provide support through funding and resources to help develop plans and strategies for improving the rivers and other water environments.

We’re investing c.£4.5bn in total in the region. This is the largest investment programme in the last 30 years.

• £1.7bn will be invested to stop storm overflow spills and improve rivers, coasts and waterways across the North East.
• £8m will be spent on improving drinking water quality. c.£7.5m extra to reduce leakage.
• We’ll protect our network from power failures and flooding by investing £127m in adapting for climate change.
• We will invest £50m to repair and replace the aging network of water pipes, including lead pipes.

We’re the first and only UK water company to use 100% of sewage sludge, turning it into green gas (biogas) that we inject into the grid every year, which is enough to heat 8,000 homes.

• The leftover material is used as fertiliser so there is no waste in the process. It’s a sustainable way to reuse waste and an important step on our journey to net zero.
• Also, at our wastewater treatment plant, Bran Sands, we’re developing a world-first project named the Green Machine, which will see poo turned into fuel for aircrafts! This £6.5m project will use algae to extract nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater, recover it, and then convert it into sustainable fuels.

Bluespaces are water environments accessible to customers via road, footpath, bridleway, other public rights of way, or at a country park or beach.

• We made a pledge to improve 500km of Bluespaces for our customers by 2030. So far, we are over halfway to reaching our goal and have big ambitions for delivering positively impactful projects where they are most needed.
• Since its initiation in 2020, the Bluespaces partnership funding scheme has helped deliver over 6,000 volunteer days and engaged over 18,000 members of the public across 59 projects and 500 events. Our co-funding has helped plant nearly 20,000 new trees, created over 400 hectares of new wetland, and helped tackle eight different kinds of invasive non-native species (INNS), as well as enhancing access and recreational facilities for local communities. 
• Please visit: Our Scheme for more information on our funding streams. 
• If you have any ideas, get in touch by emailing: Bluespaces@nwl.co.uk

The Branch Out scheme supports the resilience of the natural environment across our operating & catchment areas.

• It provides funding to communities, land managers, partner organisations, and individuals to deliver projects that enhance biodiversity, improve habitat connectivity, and strengthen the ecosystems that people and wildlife depend on.
• For more information on eligibility and application, as well as the details of our three main funding streams, please go to our website at: Branch Out Funds
• Have a project in mind? Please speak to the Branch Out team at: Branchout@nwl.co.uk

Field to Tap funding is available for farmers and landowners, and covers a variety of infrastructure, field options, training and innovation to improve water quality.

• To view some examples of our previous funding projects, please visit: Field To Tap 
• If you would like any further information or are interested in funding opportunities please email us: catchment@nwl.co.uk

Our purpose is to care for the essential needs of our communities and environment, now and for generations to come.

• Sustainability is how we bring that purpose to life.
• In July 2026, we released our Sustainability Report which brings together the progress we are making in the environment, the challenges we are tackling and the plans we are taking forward.
• You can find the full report here, and explore the Environment, Social and Governance sections for key facts, case studies and links to more detailed information.

The DWMP is our long-term plan for managing rainwater and wastewater.

• We are currently developing the plan for 2030-55, which we call DWMP28.
• We have recently published our Strategic Context document, which sets out the key principles, challenges and goals that will guide the detailed plan we will publish in 2028. A shorter Customer Summary is also available on our website: DWMP2028.
• For more information, visit: DWMP. If you have any questions or would like to contact the team, please email: DWMP@nwl.co.uk

Even after our planned big investments we still expect bills in the North East to be the lowest in England.

• We know our communities are facing a cost-of-living crisis with bills going up. We are committed to helping those that need it most. If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay their bills, please talk to us.
• There are lots of ways we can help: nwl.co.uk/bill-help.

Spotted an issue? Let us know.

• If you ever notice any issue such as a flood, leak, or pollution incident, get in touch with us at the following link: Report a problem
• Visit Check your area to find out more about leaks, water disruptions, and your water quality reports in your area.

Use our usage calculator to estimate how much your bill would be if you switched to a meter.

Visit: www.nwl.co.uk/calculator

Wet wipes are the biggest cause of blockages and sewer flooding.

• In November 2025, the UK Government signed into law a ban on the sale of plastic wet wipes, marking a major step in our Bin the Wipe campaign.
• You can make a big difference by doing one simple thing, instead of flushing it down the loo, bin the wipe.

We think it’s important to give back to make a positive impact in our local communities.

•  All our team are encouraged to volunteer to support community groups and charities through our Just an Hour scheme.
• This initiative gets our teams out in the communities we serve, supporting great causes. People choose causes that resonate with them personally - for at least 15 hours a year.
• Want to know more? Please see: Just an hour: Case studies  or email: justanhour@nwl.co.uk to find out how we can support your organisation.