New storm water storage facilities will help to protect the environment by reducing wastewater spills in a Hartlepool village.
Northumbrian Water has invested £1.1m at Greatham Sewage Treatment Works to install a storm tank that will hold additional combined sewage and surface water, reducing the chances of spills to Greatham Beck.
Storm tanks hold additional incoming wastewater at times of heavy rainfall, so that it can be treated when flows into the works have reduced. This will help protect the beck and watercourses downstream.
The water company’s partner, Esh-Stantec, installed the tank, which adds more than 54m³ of storage to the site, which sits to the south west of Greatham.
Working and traffic patterns were organised to minimise disruption, including to a neighbouring school.
Plans are also continuing to develop for the creation of a wetlands facility at the site, further enhancing its capability in a way that sees sewage treated in a greener, more sustainable way.
Jonathan Shaw, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager for the storm tank installation, said: “The investment in storm water storage is the first part of our enhancements at Greatham, protecting the environment by allowing us to hold more combined sewage and surface water, reducing the chances of spills at Greatham Beck.
“We’re grateful for the patience of those living and working in the area, while we carried out this project and our team working on the wetlands will work to continue to keep people informed as their plans and work progress.”