Northumbrian Water Group: Shaping the future of the North East

Northumbrian Water Group is nearing the end of the first year of its most ambitious five-year investment programme in its history – a £2.6 billion upgrade plan designed to strengthen essential infrastructure, boost the regional economy and drive a greener future for the North East.

Stretching across the water company’s entire operating area, from north Northumberland to North Yorkshire, the programme of improvements is set to benefit almost every community served by the company.

Its critical systems are relied on around the clock by nearly three million people across the North East.

But with more extreme weather, ageing assets and growing demand placing increasing pressure on its networks, the need for long-term resilience has never been clearer.

Running from 2025 to 2030, the vast investment programme includes nearly 800 individual projects, ranging from water main renewals and installing revolutionary smarter sewer systems, to enhancing and future-proofing water and wastewater treatment works.

These upgrades are designed not just to fix today’s challenges, but to prepare the region and its future generations for the realities of a changing climate.

Many of the improvements are already underway.

In Northumberland, a £1.7 million scheme to replace 15 kilometres of water mains in Belsay began late last year, securing better water quality and reliability for customers.

Later this year, work will begin on a £6 million infrastructure investment in Newcastle, aimed at reducing storm overflow discharges and upgrading the local sewerage infrastructure to protect water quality in Ouseburn and surrounding areas.

These projects respond directly to what customers told the company matters most to them – cleaner rivers and coastlines, fewer sewer spills, reduced flooding risk and a water system that can withstand extreme weather events.

Beyond improving essential services, the investment will also deliver a significant economic boost for the region.

The programme is expected to generate around £5.7 billion of economic benefit for the North East and support thousands of jobs across its supply chain.

And for every £1 the company invests, around 60 pence will stay within the region, strengthening local businesses and supporting long-term regional growth.

William Bessa-Simons, Northumbrian Water head of capital delivery, says: “This is investment on a scale the North East has never seen from us before, and every project is about securing a better environment and better services for our customers.

“From reducing storm overflow spills to improving our treatment works, the environmental impact will be transformative.”

Alistair Tawn, Northumbrian Water head of integrated delivery services, adds: “We’re building networks that can cope with heavier rainfall, hotter summers, colder winters and growing demand, all while protecting our beautiful North East coastlines, rivers and habitats for generations to come.”

To fund these improvements, Northumbrian Water’s shareholders are increasing their investment, and customers’ bills will also change.

From April 2026, the average household bill is expected to rise by around six per cent – equivalent to about £30 per year.

Even after the change, though, Northumbrian Water’s bills will remain among the lowest combined water and wastewater bills in the country.

However, the company recognises any rise will be concerning for customers, and it has created a £100 million financial support package, including £20 million from shareholders, to make sure help is available for anyone who needs it.

The support ranges from low-income discounts to payment breaks and tailored payment plans.

In 2025 alone, more than 100,000 customers received support with their bills, and the company expects to expand this significantly during this investment period.

Louise Hunter, Northumbrian Water director of customer and corporate services, says: “We know any increase in bills is a worry, and we don’t take that lightly.

“That’s why we’ve got more than £100 million worth of support available for customers.

“If you’re concerned, please reach out and we’ll work with you to find the right solution.”

With the first wave of projects already underway, the next few years will be about making visible progress on the ground.

From major construction schemes to smaller community level upgrades, customers right across the region will start to see the benefits taking shape in real-time.

Innovation will play a major role too.

Smarter sensors, digital modelling and advanced monitoring systems across water and sewer networks will help teams spot issues earlier, respond faster and deliver more efficient services.

These technologies will sit alongside the physical upgrades to create the most resilient and environmentally responsible network the North East has ever had.

And while the scale of work is significant, so too is the company’s commitment to supporting customers through change, to invest in the communities it serves and to secure a stronger, greener future for everyone who calls this region home.

 

Northumbrian Water

To find out more about Northumbrian Water and its major infrastructure investment work, visit www.nwl.co.uk.

For more information about accessing bill payment support, visit www.nwl.co.uk/bill-help or register an account at www.nwl.co.uk/register

LinkedIn: NWG (Northumbrian Water Group)