Water quality improvement plan for city beck

Hayley Coyle - BBC News
·2-min read

Work on improving water quality in a West Yorkshire beck is due to begin later this month.

Extra storage would be installed at sites in Leeds and Bradford to reduce storm overflow discharges in Pudsey Beck, Yorkshire Water said.

The work was expected to reduce such discharges by about 65% at Dick Lane and by abut 77% at Pudsey Smalewell, the firm added.

Richard Stuart, from Yorkshire Water, said the project would "significantly improve" the quality of water in the beck.

The extra storage would slow the flow of wastewater to storm overflows, reducing the number and duration of discharges during prolonged or heavy rainfall, a spokesperson said.

The stored water would then be returned to the sewer network for treatment.

'Improve quality'

Mr Stuart, director of capital delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “We know how important it is to our customers and for the environment that we tackle the number of discharges from storm overflows across our region.

"We’re committed to reducing their operation, and these two projects will significantly improve the water quality in Pudsey Beck by doing just that.”

Yorkshire Water said that while the projects were ongoing, there would be traffic management in place at Dick Lane to ensure access for construction teams.

The public right of way down Tyersal Lane by Pudsey Smalewell would remain open, it added.

The work at Pudsey Beck was expected to be completed in autumn 2025, Yorkshire Water said.

'Blockages hotspot'

The company said it also planned to submit a planning application for a 4.2 hectare (42,000 sq m) integrated wetland at its Hough Side site.

The plants in an integrated wetland naturally treat wastewater and storm water.

The storm overflow water would not include solid waste and would also also provide a habitat for local wildlife, Yorkshire Water said.

A spokesperson said the Hough Side wetland would "help to reduce pressure on the combined sewer network during storm events".

Mr Stuart added: “We have been developing plans for the various schemes around Pudsey Beck for a while, focusing on green solutions where possible, and we’re pleased to be commencing construction on two sites and making real progress on others."

Pudsey Beck was currently a "hotspot for blockages", according to Yorkshire Water.

The firm's education team would also visit schools in the area to deliver lessons about what should and should not be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain.

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