A significant step has been completed in a major infrastructure programme aimed at strengthening water supplies across the North East, with over 30km of new pipeline now in place.
The first phase of Northumbrian Water’s Project Pipeline: County Durham and Tees Valley—valued at £92.5m—has been successfully delivered, marking a key milestone in the wider scheme. Once complete, the project will provide a total of 57km of pipeline, linking water treatment facilities in Upper Teesdale to communities throughout south County Durham and the Tees Valley.
Designed to improve resilience and safeguard drinking water quality, the new system also incorporates a gravity-led approach, reducing the need for energy-intensive pumping and helping to lower long-term operational costs.
Phase one involved constructing a pipeline from Lartington Water Treatment Works to storage sites at Whorley, near Gainford, and Shildon. These reservoirs play an important role in supplying water to local communities. The work was delivered by contractor Farrans Construction.
Engineers tackled a range of technical challenges along the 33km route, including 15 road crossings. This included tunnelling beneath major routes such as the A68 to minimise disruption. The project also required specialist work beneath the River Tees, where twin pipelines were installed through tunnels connecting shafts on either side, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment and wildlife.
With construction now complete, efforts are focused on restoring the land used during the works, in collaboration with local landowners. Restoration will be carried out carefully to return areas to their original condition—or better.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the scheme includes a long-term environmental initiative. A 31-year programme near Shildon will enhance 15 hectares of previously low-quality grassland, creating better habitats and supporting increased biodiversity.
James Dawes, project manager at Northumbrian Water, described the first phase as a major achievement. He noted that many of the replaced pipes were more than a century old and highlighted the project’s dual benefits of improving reliability while reducing carbon emissions. He also pointed out that rerouting infrastructure away from built-up areas will help reduce the risk of disruption from issues such as pipe bursts in the future.
