Northumbrian Water is investing more than £3 million in a project that will reduce the risk of sewer flooding and pollution at a County Durham beauty spot.
The work in Peterlee will add protection to Castle Eden Dene by installing new, larger pipes that will increase capacity in the sewer network. This will help the water company to manage the flows of water at times of heavy rainfall.
Work on the scheme, which starts today, will also include new sewers and an underground storage tank.
David Groark, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said:
“This work will help to protect Castle Eden Dene by increasing capacity in our combined sewer network, which carries rainwater as well as waste from customers’ homes.
“Before and during the project, we are working closely with Peterlee Town Council, Peterlee Cricket Club and Durham County Council, to help minimise the impact on customers in the area and those who enjoy this beautiful part of County Durham.”
The water company has undertaken extensive investigations and already carried out maintenance work to improve the performance of the sewer network in the Castle Eden Dene area. The scheme will now see the utility undertaking further work in the Sunny Blunts and Helford Road area to further reduce the risk of flooding and pollution.
The work is expected to take approximately 11 months and will be carried out by Northumbrian Water’s partner, Mott MacDonald Bentley.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
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