27
Oct
Yorkshire Water warns of disruption as sewage reduction work begins in Knaresborough
Yorkshire Water has warned of disruption in Knaresborough as it prepares to carry out ground investigations for a scheme aimed at reducing sewage discharges into the River Nidd.
Contractors working for the water company will drill five boreholes, each approximately 150mm wide and five metres deep, at The Parsonage. The work is due to begin on Sunday, November 2, and is expected to take one week.
In a statement issued on October 27, Yorkshire Water said the investigations would help it assess ground conditions and determine the safest and most effective way to reduce discharges from the Waterside 49 combined sewer overflow.
The work forms part of the company's £1.5 billion programme to reduce discharges from combined sewer overflows across Yorkshire.
7 schemes planned for Knaresborough
Yorkshire Water is investigating and developing seven schemes to reduce sewage discharges in Knaresborough, where water quality in the River Nidd has been a longstanding concern.
Expert David Clayden wrote a progress update for the Stray Ferret last month, which you can read here.
The projects will focus on combined sewer overflow sites and are expected to be completed by 2030.
CSOs are part of the sewer network, which carries both wastewater and rainwater. They act as a pressure-release mechanism when the system reaches capacity, allowing diluted wastewater to discharge into rivers and other watercourses during periods of heavy rainfall. This is intended to prevent sewage backing up into homes.
Pledge to minimise disruption
Athif Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said the company had recorded a 24.5% reduction in CSO discharges last year, which he attributed to investment in upgrading the network.
He said:
Last year, we saw a 24.5% reduction in discharges from CSOs, which reflects the level of investment we have been making in upgrading our network to bring the frequency and duration down.
There’s much more to do, and these boreholes are the next step in planning one of seven projects that we’re expecting to complete in Knaresborough.
We’ll do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum and thank everyone for their patience and understanding in advance.
Yorkshire Water said residents had been informed of any localised disruption, but its statement did not specify what disruption they should expect.
Whe we asked, a spokesperson replied:
"Local residents will be receiving letters that details the info, and social ads are being put live too, but: work will begin on Monday, November 2 and is expected to last until Friday 6 November. The Parsonage will be closed between the church and Bond End from 8.30am to 4.30pm for the duration of the works."
Further investigations planned
The company said the boreholes would be backfilled and the area fully reinstated once the investigations were complete. The findings will then help inform the design of a solution to reduce discharges from the Waterside 49 CSO.
Ecological and arboricultural surveys have already been carried out ahead of the drilling work.
Yorkshire Water also confirmed that further ground investigations would take place in Knaresborough as it develops plans for the other six schemes, with residents to be informed in advance.
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