Shiney Row and Penshaw

We are investing £13m to create a new 3.5km pipeline that will help to protect and improve the quality of the water in Herrington Burn.

• The pipeline will take clean, treated water from Sedgeletch Sewage Treatment Works (STW), which is currently released into the Herrington Burn, and move its point of discharge to the River Wear at Chartershaugh Bridge.
• Not only will this protect the burn, but the larger waters of the Wear will also add greater dilution and dispersion as the water returns to the environment.
• Work to construct the new pipeline started in August and is due to complete in March 2027. The pipeline will pass through Elba Park and along areas such as the old rail track between Biddick Woods and the A182, as well as crossing the A182 and A183.
• During the course of construction, temporary traffic management will be required on the A182 Washington Highway, between the A183 roundabout and the river.
• You can stay up to date with the progress of our project here.

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.
• We will be reducing spills from four storm overflows across the Shiney Row area, with work set to start in early 2027.

If you live in Shiney Row or Penshaw, your water is supplied by Lumley Water Treatment Works.

If you live in Shiney Row or Penshaw, your wastewater is treated at Sedgeletch STW.

• We will be working at Sedgeletch STW to further enhance the treatment processes to reduce the phosphorous in the final treated water.
• This will involve the creation of a new pumping station at the site and a transfer of the discharge point to improve water quality in Herrington Burn.

Through our Bluespaces funding scheme, we recently supported an environmental project at Herrington Burn.

• This project delivered 9.7 km of access, wildlife and water quality improvements. Durham Wildlife Trust worked to deliver these improvements across 13 council owned sites across Sunderland Coalfields.
• Improvements include the planting of 2300 trees and 1 km of hedgerow improving habitats and ecosystems. 4.3 km of paths have been created or upgraded with 120m of boardwalk built. Water quality, as well as the appearance of the watercourse has been improved through the creation of wetland scrapes and community clean up events.
• Local engagement has resulted in the accredited training of two conservation trainees in land management.

The River Wear catchment is the area of land through which water from rain, melting snow or ice, drains into the Wear.

• It is covered by the Wear Catchment Partnership. In this partnership we are working with the Wear Rivers Trust, Durham Wildlife Trust, local farmers and land managers, and more, to look at managing pollutants in the Wear catchment before they get into the river.
• As part of our Wear Catchment Partnership, we are also co-funding a full-time Wear Catchment Manager with Wear Rivers Trust, who will work to improve the River Wear catchment area.
• Find out more about the partnership here.

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
• 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.