Yorkshire Water launches storm overflow project in York
£870,000 initiative aims to improve water quality in the River Ouse
Yorkshire Water has begun its first storm overflow project in York to reduce discharges into watercourses in the area, as part of a £1.5bn wider programme of investment by April 2030.
The £870,000 project at York Landing Lane combined sewer overflow (CSO) includes the replacement of the existing storm overflow chamber with a larger one, as well as the installation of screens to reduce the likelihood of sewer debris entering the river during a discharge.
Once completed, the project will reduce discharges to the River Ouse from York Landing Lane CSO by 49%, helping to improve the water quality in the river.
The additional capacity will enable more excess wastewater to be held back during periods of bad weather, preventing it from being discharged. Flows will be sent for treatment when capacity in the network has returned to normal levels.
Louise Wright, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Our storm overflows are operating more than we, and our customers, would like, and we’re committed to reducing the number of discharges taking place. We’re happy to be getting underway with our York programme, which will see the number of discharges from York Landing Lane reduced by 49%.”
Contracts are expected to take around 10 months to complete the project at York Landing Lane, which is taking place on Yorkshire Water land.