Reservoir pipe plans look set for approval

PLANS to install underground water connections as part of a massive reservoir project are set to be given the go-ahead by a council this week.

Northumbrian Water wants to dig a covered service reservoir capable of storing more than 62 million litres of water near Springwell Village in Gateshead.

As well as the link to Mosswood, the new facility will also link into the Tyneside supply system via the Carr Hill Link Main and an overflow connection to the local sewer network.

Today Gateshead Council will vote on whether to allow the water company to lay underground connections to the Carr Hill water main.

The authority’s planning department has recommended approval for the plans saying the plans are “acceptable”.

The only parts of the proposed project that lie within Gateshead Council’s area are the underground pipework connections close to the Waggon Inn and transportation of excavated materials from the site to Springwell Quarry.

The rest of the scheme, which includes building a new access road and security kiosk, will be decided on by Sunderland City Council.

Most of Sunderland and South Tyneside’s water travels through a 30km pipe from the Mosswood treatment works, with the water coming from the Derwent Reservoir, near Consett.

Some of this treated water is then stored in smaller service reservoirs in localities closer to Northumbrian Water’s customers.

Northumbrian Water says it has been looking to boost the number of these smaller storage facilities in the Sunderland area, and this one will be developed on a greenfield site to the south west of Springwell village.

The 16-acre site is equivalent in size to more than 12 football pitches, and is currently used for horse grazing.