Yorkshire Water Investing £5.5m to improve water quality in Dearne and Don rivers

Yorkshire Water is investing £5.5m in two wastewater treatment plants that will help to improve the water quality of the river Dearne and river Don.

Construction started in June on site at Mexborough wastewater treatment works.  It’s part of £3 million investment from Yorkshire Water to deliver a ferric dosing kiosk to reduce the levels of Phosphorus flowing into a 3km stretch of the river Don.

Work is due to begin at Bolton-on-Dearne wastewater treatment works in July to instal a ferric dosing kiosk and external storage tank.  This £2.5m investment by Yorkshire Water will contribute towards a reduction of Phosphorus entering the river Dearne through wastewater that has been through the treatment process.  The work will be carried out by contract partner Tilbury Douglas and is due to complete in March 2025 and will improve the quality of the watercourse flowing into the river Don.

Bolton-on-Dearne wastewater treatment works services 25,000 customers in the Rotherham area and this investment will ensure continuous and reliable function of the existing plant and accommodate future growth in the area.

Rachael Fox, head of programme delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: "Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic wastewater entering the system from products such as shampoo and liquid detergents.  The quality of water in our local rivers is incredibly important to us, our customers and the environment and we are working hard to reduce the amount of Phosphorus entering the watercourse and in doing so, help to improve the health and quality of our rivers.

“Both of these projects are part of our £500m water industry national environment programme (WINEP), to remove phosphorus at 80 of our wastewater treatment sites and improve water quality. They will have a positive impact on both the river Dearne and river Don."