Yorkshire Water invests £6m in Howden in readiness for town expansion

Yorkshire Water is investing £6m in Howden and Howdendyke in phase one of major development to improve water quality and resilience in the existing network.   

Enhancing current capacity is an important preparatory step for phase two, and further financial investment by Yorkshire Water, as the town readies itself for major expansion that includes business space, community and sports facilities and the proposal to build 2,200 new homes. 

Capital partners, Ward & Burke Construction, will start on site on Monday 22 July with an estimated completion date of December 2024. The scheme involves installing three kilometres of new rising main between Howden Broad Lane Sewage Pumping Station and Howden Wastewater Treatment Works at Howdendyke. The new pipe will be directionally drilled underneath the M62. 

A new 4000 cubic-metre storage tank will be installed to increase capacity at the wastewater treatment works. This will hold excess storm water in the event of heavy or prolonged rainfall and help to improve water quality. 

Whilst the majority of the work is on private land, Yorkshire Water will liaise with businesses and residents to let them know of any potential traffic management in the local area as this major scheme takes shape. 

Sarah Albone, project manager, Yorkshire Water, said: “This significant investment will provide increased capacity to the existing network and is an important part of our commitment to environmental performance and improving river quality. 

“It sets a solid foundation for phase two, working alongside the large-scale development plan that can potentially double the size of the town, ensuring the correct infrastructure is already in place to enable Yorkshire Water to prepare for the expansion.” 

Yorkshire Water is investing almost £800m in infrastructure improvements across Yorkshire this financial year. The utility has also submitted plans to Ofwat outlining a £7.6bn investment in the 2025 to 2030 period.