Kevin Hollinrake MP visits £3.3m project at Carthorpe wastewater treatment works

MP for Thirsk and Malton, Kevin Hollinrake, visited a £3.3m project to improve river health in action at Yorkshire Water’s Carthorpe wastewater treatment works. 

The innovative scheme will reduce the amount of Phosphorus entering the watercourse in treated wastewater by installing new electrocoagulation technology – an alternative to chemical treatment, and a less carbon intensive process. 

Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic sewage, entering the sewer system via showers and washing machines in shampoos and liquid detergents. It can also wash off from agricultural fields after the use of fertilisers and be dissolved from soil, which can be difficult to control. 

While a small amount of Phosphorus is harmless and is an essential part of many ecosystems, it can become damaging to human and animal life when unmanaged. 

Kevin Hollinrake MP visited the treatment works to see the scale of the project as it draws to a close. The project is part of a £500m investment by Yorkshire Water to cut the amount of Phosphorous entering watercourses to help improve river water quality.

After the visit, Kevin Hollinrake MP, commented: “Visiting Yorkshire Water’s Carthorpe site was a great opportunity to see their innovative work to improve water quality in Holme Beck. Projects like this are vital for enhancing water quality, supporting local ecosystems. The wider £500 million commitment to improving watercourses across the region is a significant boost and I'll continue to work with Yorkshire Water and local groups to protect our environment." 

Andy Wilmer, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “The project at Carthorpe is one of many schemes that we have been working on over the last five years as part of our £500m Phosphorous-reduction scheme. Upon completion, the quality of water in Holme Beck will improve, and enable local wildlife to thrive. 

“It was a pleasure to have Kevin Hollinrake MP on site, and to show him around the scheme to explain what we’re doing and why it’s important.” 

The project at Carthorpe began earlier this year and will be complete this month. Nearby, Yorkshire Water has begun work at its Thornton-Le-Beans wastewater treatment site to develop a £4m nature-based solution for the reduction of Phosphorous entering the river Wiske.