Nature

£27m Upgrade for Morpeth Sewage Works to Improve the River Wansbeck

Northumbrian Water has confirmed a £27m upgrade of Morpeth Sewage Treatment Works, cutting phosphorus entering the River Wansbeck and adding capacity for the town's growth. Work is due to last around two years.

Morpeth.net·1 November 2026

The River Wansbeck is at the heart of Morpeth, from the riverside paths through Carlisle Park to the stepping stones and the Chantry footbridge. Now the water company has confirmed a major investment aimed at improving the quality of the water flowing through it.

Northumbrian Water is to spend £27m upgrading Morpeth Sewage Treatment Works, as reported by North East Bylines in October. Construction was due to begin in late October and is expected to take around two years.

What the work involves

The upgrade focuses on the final stage of the treatment process, with the aim of reducing the amount of phosphorus in the treated water returned to the Wansbeck. Phosphorus feeds algae and can harm river wildlife, so lowering it is a key target for river health.

The scheme includes new treatment equipment as well as upgrades to existing infrastructure, and it will increase the works' capacity to cope with population growth across the catchment. It is being delivered by Northumbrian Water's partner, Mott MacDonald Bentley, as part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme.

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Work is taking place within the existing treatment works, with a temporary site compound alongside. It is expected to run for around two years.

Why it matters for Morpeth

Morpeth has grown considerably in recent years, and local councillors have long raised concerns about the pressure new housing places on the sewer network. Coun Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and ward councillor for Morpeth Kirkhill, said the town "has endured a significant amount of house building and other development in recent years", and welcomed the investment.

Northumbrian Water says it has invested more than £80m since 2020 in reducing storm overflow use and upgrading its wastewater network, with £1.7bn planned between 2025 and 2030.

For anyone who walks, paddles or fishes along the Wansbeck, the hope is a cleaner river once the work is finished. If you enjoy the riverside, our guide to the best walks from Morpeth is a good place to start.

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