Work to install storm overflow water tank begins

A two-year project to install an underground storage tank capable of holding enough storm water to fill about 80,000 bathtubs has begun in Bradford.

The £30m scheme, on private land near Preston Street, will help reduce storm overflow discharges into Bradford Beck, Yorkshire Water said.

Storage tanks build additional capacity by holding excess wastewater during periods of bad weather to prevent it from being discharged, with flows sent for treatment when capacity in the network returns to normal levels.

Yorkshire Water's project manager Ben Mitchell said the company was "committed and focused on reducing the number of discharges taking place".

Mitchell added: "We're working closely with our partners to ensure that we're undertaking the work with as little disruption as possible to the community, but as always, we thank everyone for their patience while we deliver this important work."

He said the storage tank would see the number of discharges into Bradford Beck reduced to fewer than 10 each year.

The firm was previously fined £1.6m for repeated pollution incidents in the waterway.

According to Yorkshire Water, by 2030 £90m will have been spent across 10 schemes in the city to reduce discharges, as part of a £1.5bn storm overflow investment programme.

The company said it was also replacing 16.1km (10 miles) worth of water mains by April to reduce leaks, bursts, and supply interruptions.

Additionally, a new main is being implemented between Thornton Moor and Haworth to boost drought resilience, while a clean water pumping station in Great Horton is being rebuilt to secure the future of the local network, a spokesperson added.

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