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 County Durham and Tees Valley. Work is currently underway on the first phase of this investment, between Lartington Water Treatment Works, and Shildon via Whorley Hill. We are currently planning Phase 2, which will connect the new pipeline from Gainford to Longnewton, Stockton.
 

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

In Phase 2 of this project, we plan to connect the pipeline laid in Phase 1 with our existing network in Teesside, by constructing an additional 22km of pipes from Gainford to Longnewton, Stockton.
 
The new pipe will be capable of transporting the amount of water needed now, but also to cover what will be needed in the future.
 

Construction of Phase 2 is planned for 2025 to 2028.

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 in Phase 1 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 carefully 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 and seeks to avoid the most environmentally sensitive locations.

Construction

Construction of Phase 1 is well under way and is expected to be completed in Autumn 2025, with Phase 2 anticipated to start in early Summer 2025, running until Summer 2028. This will involve erecting temporary fences to stop any livestock entering the working 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, 22 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 phase 2 timeline

Step 2 - Public consultation (complete)

Thank you for your views. 

Once we have submitted the planning application, Darlington Borough Council and Stockton Borough Councils will carry out their own consultations as part of the formal planning application process.

What happens next

We have completed all relevant investigatory work and we will be submitting a planning application to Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councils in September 2024.