Northumbrian Water has completed the first phase of a major £92.5 million infrastructure project aimed at strengthening water supply resilience in North East England, with more than 30 kilometres of new pipeline now in place.
The works form part of Project Pipeline: County Durham and Tees Valley, a long-term investment that will ultimately deliver 57 kilometres of new water mains. The scheme connects water treatment operations in Upper Teesdale with communities across southern County Durham and into the Tees Valley, helping to secure water quality and improve reliability for thousands of customers.
Phase 1 focused on constructing a pipeline between Lartington Water Treatment Works and key storage reservoirs at Whorley, near Gainford, and Shildon. The first phase of the project was delivered in partnership with Farrans Construction. The route was carefully designed to optimise gravity flow, reducing dependence on pumping systems and lowering both energy use and operational costs over time.
Engineering along the 33-kilometre stretch involved complex construction techniques to limit disruption and environmental impact. These included 15 road crossings, with tunnelling beneath major routes such as the A68, as well as the installation of twin pipelines beneath the River Tees using shafts positioned on either side of the watercourse. This approach avoided the need for above-ground structures and helped protect local ecosystems.
Beyond infrastructure delivery, the project incorporates long-term environmental and social benefits. A 31-year initiative near Shildon will enhance 15 hectares of grassland to improve biodiversity, while additional measures have included apprenticeships, work placements, educational outreach and community volunteering.
With construction now complete, restoration of working areas is underway in collaboration with landowners. Further works are planned to connect the new pipeline to existing networks, including supplies serving Barnard Castle, supported by customer engagement programmes to manage the transition.
