Northumbrian Water is investing £840,000 in an environmental protection scheme in Bishop Auckland by reducing spills from the sewer network.

Work is getting underway in Etherley Lane to separate parts of the sewer network from the drains that carry surface water, in order to reduce the number of spills from a nearby storm overflow (SO).

The water company said the £840,000 project will help to protect the Coal Burn, as well as the River Wear downstream, by reducing spills from the SO by more than 80%, to a maximum of ten a year on average.

The work, which is being carried out by the water company’s partner, Esh-Stantec, is expected to be completed by the end of April 2025.

Storm overflows protect homes from sewer flooding by operating as relief valves on the combined sewer networks that carry both sewage and rainwater. Separating the sewers from surface water drainage reduces the additional flows caused by heavy rain, freeing up space in the network and reducing spills.

Ian Davison, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said:

“We’re passionate about investing to protect the environment and this is one of many such projects in the North East that we will deliver across the coming years to reduce storm overflow spills.

“Our work in Bishop Auckland will have a really positive impact, significantly reducing spills into the Coal Burn. We have written to customers in the area, to let them know what we are doing and why, as we know that the work will be very visible in the area over the coming months, and we will look to minimise the disruption as much as possible throughout.”