Yorkshire Water is set to spend £2.7 million on work to improve the water quality of a Kirkby Malzeard beck.

The firm said today the project, which will take place at the village’s wastewater treatment works, aims to reduce the levels of phosphorus in Kex Beck, which eventually joins the River Laver near Ripon.

High phosphorous levels, which are caused by issues such as sewage and agricultural run-off, can reduce water quality and lead to fish deaths.

The project, which will be delivered by engineering firm Tilbury Douglas, is part of Yorkshire Water's £500 million investment into phosphorus removal across Yorkshire.

Project manager Simon Balding said:

Phosphorus is often found in household products, including washing detergents and shampoo, as well as in land fertilisers.

The firm said it is an “essential part of many ecosystems” but can become damaging to human and animal life if left unmanaged.

The project, which Yorkshire Water said will “positively impact” around 7.5 miles of the Kex Beck watercourse, is set to begin next month and be completed by spring 2025.

It comes months after the firm announced a similar scheme at the Killinghall wastewater treatment works.

It said in November it would spend £19 million on new technologies to reduce phosphorous levels in the river Nidd.

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