Combined sewer overflow protection

Northumbrian Water

CLIENT NAME: Northumbrian Water Group
LOCATION: North East of England
COMPLETION: Ongoing

Complex engineering solutions for UK water utility companies

Ensuring a resilient water supply for the North East of England

As an industry leader, Northumbrian Water supplies water and sewerage services to 2.7 million customers in the North East of England.
United Infrastructure has helped maintain the water network across the whole of the Northumbrian Water supply area since 2005 (under its previous name, Fastflow) – ensuring a resilient water supply for the North East of England.

Close collaboration on all projects

Our management team is co-located with Northumbrian Water teams at our Washington offices, ensuring close working to identify opportunities to improve end-to-end processes, optimise the service and drive performance improvements.

expertise in engineering

Investing to protect the environment

UI is leveraging its engineering expertise to support Northumbrian Water’s work in protecting the environment by reducing spills from the sewer network. Storm overflows protect homes from sewer flooding by operating as relief valves on the combined sewer networks that carry both sewage and rainwater. Separating the sewers from surface water drainage reduces the additional flows caused by heavy rain, freeing up space in the network and reducing spills.

Delivering innovative solutions

Our experienced team has recently commenced a programme with Northumbrian Water to survey, design, and install innovative solutions aimed at preventing backflow of the watercourse through combined sewer outfalls resulting in false positive spill events, as part of a long-term investment programme funded by AMP8 accelerated spend. As part of this, UI has successfully installed 11 ‘Non-Return Valves’.

The installations have ranged from removing the existing flap valve frame and replacing it with the new flap valve, to installing inline valves
within the existing wastewater chamber. These proven flood prevention methods stop river water entering the system and breaching the overflow weir within the combined sewer overflow chamber. This prevents river water from being treated at the downstream wastewater treatment works whilst also preventing false positive flood events. This is a significant step in improving the resilience of our water systems and advancing our commitment to environmental sustainability.

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testimonial

“I would like to thank the United Infrastructure team for their hard work and dedication, so far, in helping us deliver the programme of work in a safe and professional manner. The project is progressing in line with approved designs, on time, within budget and without any major issues”.