An £11 million programme at Garforth wastewater treatment works in Allerton Bywater has been completed, delivering cleaner treated water to Sheffield Beck.

Yorkshire Water, working with its contractor Mott Macdonald Bentley, said the scheme will significantly cut the phosphorus returned to the beck, enhancing water quality along more than 10km downstream of the site.

Since the upgrade, phosphorus levels in flows from the works to Sheffield Beck have dropped from 3.25 mg/l to 0.21 mg/l — a 93% reduction.

-- Advertisement --

Phosphorus commonly enters sewers through everyday household activities, with products such as shampoo and liquid detergents contributing to levels in domestic wastewater.

Although small amounts are harmless and play a role in many ecosystems, unmanaged concentrations can become harmful to human and animal life.

The investment involved installing new equipment and improving existing processes to remove phosphorus from treated wastewater before it is returned to the environment.

Phoebe Ripley, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "We're committed to improving Yorkshire’s water environment and helping it thrive. Projects like this will ultimately improve the water quality in Sheffield Beck and ensure it can be enjoyed by customers and wildlife for many years to come.

"This is just one of many examples of projects underway across the region to improve our infrastructure as we deliver our largest ever environmental investment."