Whickham

Hello Whickham

Thank you to everyone who attended our event.

 

We're working hard with partners and local people in their communities, we are restoring and regenerating our natural environment, creating an even better place to live and work through our local actions.

Here are some key projects:

A major goal of Northumbrian Water is to prevent flooding and to protect our environment.

  • That’s why we’ve partnered with Gateshead MB Council and the Environment Agency on the Northumbria Integrated Drainage Partnership (NIDP), our award-winning initiative to reduce flooding and improve drainage in Whickham South and Sunniside.
  • The NIDP has completed Stage 1 and 2 of our study process investigating integrated flood risk. We have identified key drainage areas around Hole Lane and Gateshead Road for Stage 3 development.
  • This will see us carrying out further survey and investigation work on site, completing outline designs and submitting our funding applications, with construction estimated to begin in the summer.
  • More information on our project can be viewed here.
  • We’ve made it our mission to prevent pollution and sewage from entering rivers across our region.
  • 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. A video about this can be viewed here.
  • As part of our AMP8 investment in storm overflow (SO) spill reduction, we are targeting an SO in Sunniside Road, in Whickham, which spills to the Black Burn.
  • The aim is to deliver an intervention that will reduce spills to a maximum of ten a year (on average, taken across ten years). Our current plan suggests we will look to commence work on site in early Autumn.

If you live in Whickham, your drinking water is supplied by a blend of water from Horsley Water Treatment Works, Whittle Dene Water Treatment Works and Mosswood Water Treatment Works.

  • This is a combination of river and reservoir water sources.
  • The water is then stored in Whickham service reservoir prior to distribution to customers.

Find out more about leaks, water disruptions, and your water quality reports in your area.

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

  • £1.1bn of this will reduce the use of storm overflows and improve bathing water quality.
  • £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.

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.
  • Ongoing engagement with customers and stakeholders is essential to make sure DWMP28 reflects the needs of our communities, the environment, and to shape the long-term resilience of our drainage and wastewater services for the North East.
  • For more information, visit DWMP. If you have any questions or would like to contact the team, please email DWMP@nwl.co.uk.

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. 
  • We encourage our customers and local groups to let us know where and what these should be. 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 and 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 NWG 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 regarding our work in catchment or are interested in funding opportunities please email us catchment@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.

Wet wipes are the biggest cause of blockages and sewer flooding – including in Whickham.

  • On 18 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.

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