Northumbrian Water has started work on a £9.4 million investment in Pegswood, Northumberland, that will improve water quality, strengthen the resilience of the local wastewater network and help protect the environment for future generations.

The project will deliver upgrades to Pegswood Sewage Treatment Works (STW), improve The water company said that together, the improvements will help reduce the risk of sewer flooding, improve wastewater management, and support better environmental outcomes across the wider catchment.

As part of the scheme, the new transfer pipeline will run north to Pegswood STW towards the River Wansbeck, and the storm overflow upgrades will take place in Pegswood Village.

Northumbrian Water’s delivery partner, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB), will carry out the construction work. The sewage treatment works will remain fully operational throughout the project.

The investment forms part of Northumbrian Water’s wider programme of environmental improvements and will support efforts to improve local water quality by reducing phosphorus levels and reducing the frequency and impact of storm overflow discharges.

Rachael Clifford, Project Manager at Northumbrian Water, said:

"We’re delighted to begin work on this important investment in Pegswood. This project will deliver long-term environmental benefits for the local area by improving water quality, increasing the resilience of the wastewater network and helping to reduce the risk of sewer flooding.

"We understand that construction activity can cause some inconvenience, and we’ll be working closely with our delivery partner, MMB, to keep disruption to a minimum while maintaining essential wastewater services throughout the programme."

The project is expected to continue until winter 2027.