Yorkshire Water begins phase two of Pool-in-Wharfedale storm overflow project

Boy feeding ducks on waterway
General news Network and infrastructure

1/3/2025

Yorkshire Water is set to begin phase two of its £1.3m storm overflow project in Pool-in-Wharfedale, which will reduce the number and duration of discharges into the river Wharfe. 

Contract partners Mott MacDonald Bentley will start work on Pool Bank New Road from Monday 6 January to continue lining 2km of the sewerage network to reduce surface and groundwater infiltration. This will reduce the volume of flow in the sewer, limiting the number and duration of discharges from the Crook Farm storm overflow, during prolonged or heavy rainfall. 

During phase one, sewer lining was completed in farmland off Old Pool Bank. 

Omair Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We’re pleased to be getting started with the next and final stage of this project, which is part of our wider £180m investment before April 2025 to reduce discharges from storm overflows.” 

It is expected the project will reduce discharges from the overflow by 36% once complete. 

Due to the location of the work, two-way traffic management will be required and will move up Pool Bank New Road as the scheme progresses. For the first half of the programme, traffic lights will be in place full time, but in the latter stages, they will be removed overnight where possible.  

The scheme is set to finish in March.  

Omair added: “Traffic management is necessary for the safety of pedestrians, road users, and the teams working on site. We thank those in the area in advance for their patience while we complete this important work that will benefit the environment and water quality in the river Wharfe. 

Yorkshire Water also recently completed work on the drinking water network in Pool-in-Wharfedale, replacing 1.4km of water mains on Old Pool Bank to improve resilience in the water network and increase the pressure of the water supply in the area. 

Customer can find out more about Yorkshire Water’s £180m investment at Yorkshire Water - Storm overflow investment.

Looking ahead, Yorkshire Water plans to invest over £1bn in reducing discharges from storm overflows across the county during the 2025 – 2030 delivery period.