Work is starting on an £8.3m investment to protect and enhance the water quality in the River Skerne.
Northumbrian Water is upgrading its sewage treatment works in Trimdon, County Durham, to further improve the treated water it returns to the environment.
By installing new processes to remove phosphorous as part of the treatment, the investment will support improvements to the river.
From October until the end of 2026, the water company and its partner, Costain, which will deliver the enhancements, will prepare the site for the upgrades, with work starting in earnest from January until summer 2027.
All work will be carried out within the company’s land, to the east of Trimdon.
Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, Cheryl Donohoe, said: “This investment supports our ambitions of having the best rivers and coasts in the country, and improving the environment for everyone to enjoy.
“We don’t anticipate the work at Trimdon to have any impact on customers as it all takes place on our site, and we are working with neighbouring landowners to keep them informed. Progress on the project can be followed on our Community Hub, where we will be providing updates.”