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25
Sept
Yorkshire Water starts £5m scheme to stop phosphorous polluting the Nidd
Yorkshire Water has started work on a £5 million scheme to remove phosphorus at its Harrogate North wastewater treatment works, off Bachelor Gardens in Bilton, to help improve the water quality in the River Nidd.
The work will see contractors Ward & Burke installing new equipment, which will use specialist chemicals and helpful bacteria to reduce the amount of phosphorus in treated wastewater, before it is pumped into the river.
Phosphorus enters the sewer system in two ways. Some comes from shampoo and liquid washing detergent used in households, and most of the rest comes from fertilisers used in farming, which can wash off agricultural fields.
Although a small amount of phosphorus is harmless and is an essential part of many ecosystems, it can become damaging to human and animal life when unmanaged. It can cause algae on waterways, which blocks out sunlight for other plants, causing harm to a range of water-based life.
Lizzie Robinson, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said:
This project will result in significant reductions in phosphorus levels going into the river Nidd, with a view to improving the overall water quality for 4.8km downstream of the works, as well improving the overall efficiency of the wastewater treatment site.
Phosphorous reduction is an important part of our current investment plan – by 2030, we’ll have completed 85 projects in a £350 million programme. Improving the health of our rivers is vitally important, and this is one way in which we can contribute.
Harrogate North wastewater treatment works is located where Oak Beck flows into the River Nidd.
Alongside the phosphorous removal project, contractors Hydro International will also refurbish existing equipment at Harrogate North wastewater treatment works to improve its operation, help manage increasing demand and prolong its service life.
All work is expected to be complete in late 2029.
This project follows a £500 million investment in phosphorous removal over the previous five-year delivery period, which saw the amount of phosphorous in treated wastewater in Yorkshire decrease by 68%.
Yorkshire Water is also planning a £20 million investment into reducing the operation of storm overflows that discharge into the River Nidd, and recently began investigating for potential solutions in the centre of Harrogate.
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