Project Pipeline: Durham and Tees Valley

Project background

We’re working hard to update and improve the water network to make sure you can continue to have a supply of clean and clear water for decades to come.

As part of this, we are improving our underground network of water pipes in Durham and Tees Valley, between Lartington Water Treatment Works, and Shildon via Whorley Hill.

Around 200,000 customers will benefit from this work - we want to make sure you continue to receive clean, clear and great tasting tap water each and every day.

Our proposals

We plan to replace two of the big, main pipes in the water supply system that currently run from Lartington Water Treatment Works, supplying communities along the Tees Valley including Barnard Castle, Darlington, south Durham, and the wider Teesside area.

The two pipes will be replaced with one single pipe, capable of transporting the amount of water needed now, but also to cover what will be needed in the future.

We will also connect this new pipe to our reservoir at Shildon, County Durham.

57km of new pipes will be built, and this work will be carried out in two phases:

• Phase 1 2023 – 2025:
  • New water pipe from Lartington Water Treatment works to Gainford and the new pipe between Whorley Hill and Shildon.
• Phase 2 2025 – 2028:
  • New water pipe between Gainford and Longnewton Service Reservoir to the east of Darlington. 

Why are we doing this now?

The existing pipes have been an integral part of the water network in the area for a long period of time, and some sections are more than 100 years old. Since they were installed, the pipes have experienced corrosion, stress and general deterioration.

If no action is taken, this will increase the likelihood of problems with the pipes, affecting the supply of water to properties in Durham and Tees Valley. We have already experienced some examples of disruption caused by defects in the pipes.

We have therefore decided that now is the time to invest in replacement pipes to protect the quality of services to customers for the future.

The current network of pipes also makes it difficult to move water around our region, which we sometimes need to do to cope with demand.

The new pipe connecting to our reservoir at Shildon will make it easier for us to do that. 

This will mean we have reliable new pipes and a more resilient network, making sure customers continue to receive clean, clear and great tasting tap water for decades to come. 

Route plan

We have chosen this route, as it is the most direct route between Lartington Water Treatment Works and Whorley Service Reservoir, and between Whorley Service Reservoir and Shildon Service Reservoir, while avoiding the main built-up areas and major routes followed by traffic. It passes mostly through agricultural land.

Construction

Construction is expected to start in Autumn 2022. This will involve erecting temporary fences to stop any livestock entering the area, and installing temporary land drainage. Topsoil will be removed from the working area and stored on-site ready to be replaced when construction work is complete.

Our contractor will then begin excavating the 1.5 metre wide, 28 kilometre long trench and placing within the trench the 800mm diameter pipe. Once the pipe is ready to use, the topsoil is replaced and reseeded where necessary, and the temporary fencing is removed, so that the land is returned to its original state.

PROPOSED PROJECT TIMELINE

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Over the next few months we will be carrying out surveys and ground investigation works in advance of final plans being developed for this scheme.