Yorkshire Water has begun work to reduce discharges to the river Seven from the storm overflow at Brawby Wastewater Treatment Works, North Yorkshire, as well as to reduce surface water flooding in the village.
Contract partners Mott MacDonald Bentley will be installing 300m of new surface water sewer in the village, alongside a surface water pumping station within the current wastewater treatment works, and a rising main to pump the surface water directly into the river. Introducing the surface water network should also improve flood resilience in the village.
The new surface water network will take rainfall from a number of houses and gardens, and the highway, to stop the combined sewer network becoming overwhelmed in periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall, reducing the need for the operation of the storm overflow by 65%.
This project is part of a £180m investment programme across Yorkshire to reduce discharges from storm overflows.
Omair Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said:
“We are working hard to play our part to improve water quality across Yorkshire, and the project in Brawby is just one element of a wider programme of works we have underway. Once complete, this project will significantly reduce the number and volume of discharges from the storm overflow, improving the water quality in the river Seven.
“The village should also see fewer instances of surface water flooding, which we know will have a positive impact on those that live and work here.”
Councillor George Jabbour, who represents Brawby on North Yorkshire Council, welcomed the news, adding:
“I am delighted that work has started to address a long-term issue that has affected the community for years. This is not the first time since my election as a Councillor that I have had a positive resolution to a local matter thanks to Yorkshire Water. I am grateful to them for making this investment in Brawby. I am also confident that the residents too appreciate the fact that this major project is finally taking place.”
The project is expected to complete in winter 2025.
