Local Action - Seahouses

Our goal is to prevent pollution and sewage from entering rivers and seas 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 storm overflow information video can be viewed here.
• Our digital interactive map shows up-to-date storm overflow information across the region. A video about this can be viewed here.
• Information on our plan for Storm Overflows can be viewed on the national storm overflow interactive map.

If you live in Seahouses, your drinking water comes from the Warkworth Water Treatment Works.

• Warkworth Water Treatment Works (WTW) is located on the outskirts of Warkworth, Northumberland.
• Warkworth WTW abstracts from an intake station on the River Coquet, which pumps water to the main site of the treatment works.

Your wastewater is treated at our Seahouses Sewage Treatment Works (STW).

• This facility received investment enhancing the quality of coastal waters and protecting the local environment. This investment included constructing a treatment plant, new pumping stations and sewers to improve the service to Seahouses and the surrounding areas.
• The STW, located next to the golf course south of Seahouses, was designed to blend in with the local area and looks like farm buildings, with some treatment processes happening underground.
• We installed four new treatment units on the land around our sewage treatment works (STW). These units are necessary to ensure we meet regulations while we investigate and implement a long-term solution.
• To keep the area looking nice, we tried something new for screening, using sheets that mimic the brickwork of the buildings to cover the new units. The wind damaged the original sheets, so we are replacing them with more durable ones for the duration of the project.

This is the largest investment programme in the last 30 years.

• C£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.
• £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.

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. By 2025 we’ll be halfway there, after completing over 70 projects through partners, and we have big ambitions for delivering positively impactful projects where they are most needed in the second half of the programme.
• So far, since its initiation in 2020, Bluespaces has helped deliver over 5,000 volunteer days and engaged over 700 volunteers across 40 projects. Our co-funding has helped plant nearly 8,000 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. 
• Bluespaces at Embleton Quarry (2023-2024). This project was led by Embleton Parish Council, who worked with us to create a better visitor experience to this local water environment through improved access, better interpretation, and enhanced biodiversity.
• Project outputs included footpath improvements, new interpretation, installation of bat boxes, including a specially designed Daubenton’s bat roost at the pond, creation of a sand martin bank, increased ecological monitoring, and a comprehensive programme of public engagement and education events for the local community and school children.
• 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
• Please visit 'Our Scheme' for more information.

The Branch Out fund supports projects that protect local ecosystems. Enhancing and linking habitats protects local flora and fauna by building their resilience to climate change.

If you, or your organisation, are involved in a project doing this, then the Branch Out Fund might be able to help you! Applications for grants of anywhere between £1 - £10,000 are very welcome. The guidance notes on projects that quality for grant funding is here.

• Email applications to Branchout@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.

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

• You can make a big difference by doing one simple thing, instead of flushing it down the loo, bin the wipe.

Are you passionate about caring for our local waterways and making a difference in your community? If you are then why not become a Water Ranger?

• Water Rangers are an enthusiastic group of local volunteers who report any issues and notable wildlife they see in and around our local rivers and streams. Don’t delay, email waterrangers@nwl.co.uk to join today.

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?