Underground storage plan to reduce sewage in beck

Yorkshire Water said it was "determined" to improve water quality in Yorkshire’s rivers and seas

Yorkshire Water is to begin work to reduce the amount of sewage and other wastewater it discharges into a Bradford beck.

The company will build a new underground storage area to hold the discharge that comes through the sewer and into Fagley Beck during periods of heavy rain.

It will also repair three metres of damaged sewer as well as sections of the network to stop surface water and groundwater from entering.

Yorkshire Water said the work, which starts on Monday, is expected to reduce discharges from the Ravenscliffe storm overflow into Fagley Beck by 83%.

'Improve water quality'

Storm overflows are meant to act as relief valves when sewers are at risk of being overwhelmed, such as during heavy downpours.

However, there has been increasing public anger at the levels of sewage being discharged into England's rivers and seas.

Omair Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said the work "was one small part of a wider £180m investment" across the region over the next year to reduce discharges.

“We are determined to play our part to improve water quality in Yorkshire’s rivers and seas."

The company said in the longer-term, plans had been submitted to the industry regulator Ofwat, "outlining a £1bn investment to further reduce discharges between 2025 and 2030, which will include further work in the Bradford area".

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