£2.8m investment in Goole storm overflows to reduce discharges into local rivers

Yorkshire Water is investing £2.8m in two storm overflows at Rawcliffe and West Cowick, nr Goole this autumn to reduce the number of storm water discharges flowing into the river Aire.

The projects include: 

• £1.8m of improvement work at Royal Oak Rawcliffe sewage pumping station.  The upgrade includes the installation of new valves, pumps and a new rising main to improve the operational efficiency of the pumping station and is expected to reduce storm discharge into the river Aire by 20% from the overflow.
• £1m investment at West Cowick sewage pumping station that includes the installation of new 130m3 of storage to hold rainfall and wastewater during wet weather events. Upon completion, it will reduce discharges into the river Aire from West Cowick sewage pumping station by 75%.  

The projects are part of a £180m investment by the end of April 2025 by Yorkshire Water to reduce discharges from storm overflows across the region. 
 
Contract partners Morrisons Water Services (MWS) and Sapphire Utility Solutions (SUS)will carry out work at Royal Oak Rawcliffe and West Cowick respectively. 
 
Lumi Ajayi, project manager, said: “Increasing storage in our network is a key way we are reducing the frequency and intensity of storm overflows discharging into watercourses across the region. 
 
“The projects in Rawcliffe and West Cowick, nr Goole will help us to limit the amount of rainfall going into the combined sewer network and allow us to store more wastewater during periods of heavy rainfall, before returning it to the full treatment process, in a measured manner. The volume and number of discharges flowing into the river Aire will be significantly reduced on completion of these works, helping to improve water quality in the area. 
 
“We have liaised with the local highways team to ensure that the work can be carried out safely and with the minimum disruption to local residents and businesses whilst these important improvements are undertaken.” 
 
The projects follow a £1m investment in a storm overflow in Airmyn to reduce discharges into the river Aire during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall.