River Swale: Yorkshire Water to invest £4.8 in treatment works

Yorkshire Water said the investment will help reduce phosphorous in the River Swale (stock image)

A wastewater treatment works will benefit from £4.8m of investment, as part of a bid to improve water quality in the nearby River Swale.

Yorkshire Water said the work at its Dishforth works will increase capacity, to make sure it can cope with increased wastewater from new housing nearby.

It said it will also reduce the amount of phosphorus in treated wastewater, before it is returned to the river.

A local campaign group said further work was needed to keep rivers clean.

The move is set to improve water in the Soppa Gutter, a tributary of the Swale.

'Real difference'

Phosphorous can be found in many household products, such as shampoo and liquid detergent, but can cause excessive growths of algae, which can have a damaging effects on plants and animals.

Lucie Arger, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "We are committed to improving water quality in the rivers across our region.

"Reducing phosphorus levels can make a real difference to water quality in our rivers. This project is a significant part of a £500m investment by 2025 in phosphorus removal throughout Yorkshire.

"Our work at Dishforth will ensure the treatment works can cope with increased flows coming from new developments in the local area, future-proofing the site and reducing disruption in the longer term."

Campaign group Save the Swale said: "Whilst we welcome any investment by Yorkshire Water to reduce pollutants in the Swale, the fact remains that for the last 35 years Yorkshire Water has failed to invest in the infrastructure needed to keep untreated sewage and harmful chemicals out of our rivers."