Sewer upgrades in a County Durham village will help to protect homes and the environment while also ensuring the network continues to support growth in the area's population.
Northumbrian Water is investing £800,000 in a new sewer pipe - known as a rising main - on the outskirts of Wellfield, Wingate.
The new pipe will carry wastewater from existing and new properties in the area, as well as surface water, to nearby treatment works. It will replace an old main, closer to the homes, which is nearing the end of its operational life, reducing the risk of bursts and protecting the environment.
The work, which will start around May and take four months to complete, will be carried out by Northumbrian Water's partner, MMB. The water company is working with Durham County Council and other organisations, including Sustrans, to finalise plans, and is consulting customers in the area on their views.
Peter Greenan, Northumbrian Water's Project Manager, said: "The environment is hugely important to us, and the replacement of this sewer pipe will represent an important move to protect homes and the local area. Not only will the new main replace an ageing pipe, it will also help better serve the area's growing population and add a layer of futureproofing to our network in the Wingate area."
Updates on this project will be made available at www.nwlcommunityportal.co.uk, following the link to the Wellfield Rising Main page.