Yorkshire Water investing £3.5m in Long Lane wastewater treatment works

Yorkshire Water is investing £3.5m in its Long Lane wastewater treatment works in Rotherham to improve water quality in the river Rother. 

The project, delivered by Eric Wright Water, will reduce the amount of Phosphorus in the wastewater returned to the river Rother post treatment. Once completed, the project will improve the water quality of over 4.2km of the river downstream of the works. 

Rich Tomlinson, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We have several Phosphorus reduction schemes planned across Yorkshire as part of our ongoing commitment to improving water quality in our rivers. The work at Long Lane is just one of many projects that will improve our impact on the local environment.” 

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. 

The work will include refurbishment of the tank where biosolids and water are separated, installation of new chemical dosing equipment, and a new unit which will remove any remaining solids after the clarification process. 

This project is a significant part of a £500m investment by 2025 in Phosphorus removal throughout Yorkshire. 

Works are underway, and are expected to complete in early 2025.