£2.3m investment to reduce storm overflows at Bingley

Yorkshire Water is investing £2.3m in a storm overflow in Bingley to reduce discharges to Loadpit Beck, a tributary of the river Aire. 

To reduce discharges from the overflow, Yorkshire Water and its contract partners Sapphire Utilities Solutions and One Bore are constructing new underground storage. 

A 10-metre deep, 348m3 tank will be constructed in fields near Gilstead Lane and Sheriff Lane. The additional storage will hold excess wastewater during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall, reducing the need for discharges to the beck. 

The stored wastewater will then be returned to the network via new pumps and rising main for final treatment once the rainfall event has passed, significantly reducing the frequency of discharges from the nearby storm overflow and improving water quality in the local watercourse. 

Once completed, the additional storage is expected to reduce discharges from the overflow by 44%. 

Jamel Goodall, asset planning sponsor at Yorkshire Water, said: “We're pleased to have started work on the construction of the additional storage required in our sewer network in Bingley to reduce discharges from our Gilstead Lane 128 overflow. The additional storage will significantly reduce the frequency and duration of discharges into Loadpit Beck, improving water quality in the watercourse. 

“We know discharges from storm overflows are a key issue for our customers and we’re determined to reduce their operation across Yorkshire. This project in Bingley is a small part of a £180m investment across Yorkshire by April 2025 to tackle the issue and improve water quality in our rivers.” 

Work is expected to be completed in early 2025.