BBC Look North's Mark Denton is taken on a tour of the treatment works in Howdon.
Northumbrian Water was fined millions earlier this year for historic sewage spills. It has promised to reduce those spills and improve water quality – but wants its customers to pay more to cover the cost. As part of Water Week, the BBC’s Mark Denten went to the firm’s treatment works to find out more.Nestling next to the River Tyne on a 77-acre site, you’ll find Northumbrian Water’s Howdon Water treatment works.Tony Rutherford is the treatment works manager and is giving me a tour.
Waste water operations manager Tony Baines said: "What we're looking to do is use smart technology and AI to hold the flow back in certain areas so that means there’s capacity where the rainfall is."Northumbrian Water wants to put consumer bills up by 13% to help pay for it.Regulator Ofwat wants the bill hike to be lower, but the company insists it needs the full increase.
"That is a £400m investment from our own shareholders as well to make sure we get the right balance and we’re spending customers' money wisely."But how wisely is it being spent when some of our waterways are still being polluted by the water companies?"But we’re also trying to learn the lessons of the past, we’re making sure we have the right supply of service for our customers not just now, but into the future as well.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Northumbrian Water drone trial to test water quality expandsDrones will be used across the North East of England to test water in hard-to-reach areas.
Read more »
Lough Neagh Algae to Blame for Foul Tasting Tap Water, NI Water SaysResidents across Northern Ireland have been complaining about a foul taste and smell in their tap water for some time. NI Water has now confirmed that increased blue-green algae levels in Lough Neagh, the region's biggest freshwater supply, are responsible for the issue.
Read more »
Southern Water unveils 'utterly ludicrous' plan to ship water from Norwegian fjords to the UKSouthern Water, which serves 4.7 million customers, has submitted official plans to bring in 45 million litres of glacial meltwater daily for six weeks in case of drought.
Read more »
GMB Union hits out at Southern Water plan to import Norway waterSouthern Water, which serves Hampshire, says importing water from Norway would be a 'last resort'.
Read more »
Southern Water says poor coastal water is not caused by floodsSouthern Water says sewage discharge from storm overflows has not caused issues on the Kent coast.
Read more »
Southern Water unveils 'utterly ludicrous' plan to ship water from Norwegian fjords to the UKSouthern Water, which serves 4.7 million customers, has submitted official plans to bring in 45 million litres of glacial meltwater daily for six weeks in case of drought.
Read more »