A new storm tank has been installed at a County Durham sewage treatment works (STW) to help protect water quality in the Cassop Vale.
Northumbrian Water has invested £1.3m in the project, which saw disused tanks at its site in Cassop converted, to create 37m³ of storm water storage, helping to protect the environment from the impacts of climate change.
The conversion of existing infrastructure at the site, rather than constructing new tanks, also helped to reduce the carbon intensity of the work and ensure it used less concrete.
The tanks hold storm water and wastewater from homes at times of heavy rainfall, ready to be treated when flows reduce, protecting against the risk of spills to the environment.
Work was carried out by Northumbrian Water’s partner, Esh-Stantec.
Jonathan Shaw, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said:
“Increasing the amount of water we can hold back at times of heavy rainfall has made this site more resilient to external issues, such as population growth and climate change.
“We’re also really pleased to have found a way of increasing the capacity with reduced carbon and concrete use, so that’s been an additional win for the environment.
“On behalf of the project team, I’d like to thank those living close to the site for their patience while we carried out the work.”
