Ilkley storm overflow project completed

A Yorkshire Water storm overflow project on Wyvil Crescent in Ilkley has now been finished and is reducing the number of discharges into the river Wharfe, improving water quality.  

The scheme has seen the construction of a new 130-metre surface water sewer, separating rainfall from wastewater to reduce the flows entering the storm overflow during periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall. Surface water will be discharged into the Wharfe without entering the combined sewer network, resulting in more than a 50% reduction in storm overflow discharges. 

Contract partner Mott MacDonald Bentley carried out the project, which totals a £500,000 investment, beginning the work at the start of the summer. It is part of a wider £180m investment project across Yorkshire by the end of April 2025 to reduce discharges from storm overflows. 

Omair Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Completing the project at Wyvil Crescent is a significant milestone in our wider programme of works to improve water quality in the river Wharfe.  

“These wastewater infrastructure schemes are just the latest to complete in Ilkley, as a new £15m sewer was constructed and became operational in February this year. Further projects are already underway at Ilkley wastewater treatment works and Ben Rhydding treatment works to improve water quality in the Wharfe. 

“As well as this work, we are continuing to investigate storm overflows in the area and will be delivering further projects to better the Wharfe’s water quality.”