Yorkshire Water investing £11m in Garforth wastewater treatment works

Yorkshire Water is investing £11m to upgrade Garforth wastewater treatment works in Allerton Bywater, Leeds, to improve the water quality in Sheffield Beck. 

The project, delivered by Mott Macdonald Bentley, will reduce the amount of Phosphorus in the wastewater returned to Sheffield Beck post treatment – improving the water quality of over 10km of the watercourse downstream of the works.  

Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic sewage, entering the sewer system via domestic showers and washing machines due to products such as shampoo and liquid detergent containing Phosphorus. 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. Yorkshire Water is undertaking the works as part of its commitment to the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). 

Work is already underway and includes installation of new equipment and upgrades to existing equipment at the treatment works. Teams are expected to move off site in early 2025. 

Joe Johnson, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “It’s important to us and our customers that we look after our local environment and help it thrive, which is why we’re investing £500m by April 2025 in Phosphorus removal throughout the region. When complete, this project will have a positive impact on Sheffield Beck.”