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15
Apr
Leaky water butts installed in Harrogate and Ripon to prevent flooding
More than 150 leaky water butts have been installed in Harrogate and Ripon to prevent drains from overflowing during heavy rainfall.
Yorkshire Water has introduced 154 of the water storage units to homes around the region to manage the flow of rainwater during storms.
Water butts are usually connected to drainpipes on a residential property, and collect rainwater for use in the garden.
Leaky water butts are similar, but they are designed to slowly leak water down the drain. They slow the flow of water in times of heavy rainfall, preventing drains from overflowing.
This comes as part of a £180 million initiative to reduce discharge into rivers from storm overflows. A total of 124 storm overflow projects have been completed, and 3,000 leaky water butts have been installed across the county.
Storm overflows are outlets in the sewage network, often in the form of a secondary pipeline, that relieve pressure on the sewage system by diverting excess rainwater back into the waterways when the sewers reach capacity.
Yorkshire Water has 2,190 designated storm overflow systems built into the sewage infrastructure.
The water company has decided to install the water butts on private properties near 35 of these overflows.
This will help prevent flooding on the streets or within people’s gardens when rainfall gets too heavy for the overflow systems by slowly releasing the rainwater into the drains, so as not to overwhelm the pipes.
Yorkshire Water said the 3,000 water butts will be able to store 600,000 litres of water.
Sophie Dilworth, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said:
Leaky water butts are a cost-effective sustainable drainage system that can have a significant impact on the local sewer network – particularly in areas where we have combined sewer systems that we’re unable to separate.
Not only do they reduce surface water levels, they’re also a brilliant way to conserve water. Rain captured in poor weather can be used to water flowers, for example, when we get to the drier months. Rainwater is rich in nutrients, so plants prefer it to tap water.
Reducing flows of rainfall into the combined sewer network during the peak of a storm is one of a number of ways we can reduce the frequency and duration of storm overflows into local watercourses as we continue our commitment to improve river health.
Yorkshire Water contacted the owners of properties where a leaky water butt was assessed to have the greatest impact on the sewer network.
The company installed the units in Harrogate and Ripon at a cost of £680,000. After a six-month check-in, maintenance responsibilities will be handed over to the homeowners.
Leaky water butts are also available to purchase from DIY stores for people who want to save water and help improve the local watercourse.
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