Yorkshire Water to reduce storm discharges from Ruswarp storm overflow

Yorkshire Water is to begin the second phase of a project to reduce discharges from a storm overflow in Ruswarp, Whitby, as it continues its work to improve bathing water quality in the town. 

The £150,000 investment will include the lining and renewal of 104m of the combined sewer network in Ruswarp. Sewer lining prevents groundwater infiltration in the network, reducing flow within the pipes.  

Once completed, the project is expected to reduce the number of discharges from its Bridge Inn storm overflow into the river Esk, which flows into the North Sea. 

Storm overflows operate to relieve pressure on the network during periods of prolonged or heavy rainfall.  

Omair Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are determined to play our part to improve bathing water quality at Whitby and along the entire Yorkshire coast. This project will significantly reduce discharges from our Bridge Inn storm overflow in Ruswarp.” 

The work, which is being carried out by Morrison Water Services, will take place between 11 and 15 November. During this time, a section of Ruswarp High Street at the junction with Water Lane will be closed for the safety of the team on site, and of pedestrians and road users. Diversions will be in place.  

Omair added “We thank those in the area for their patience whilst we undertake this investment project. 

“The project is part of a £180m investment across Yorkshire to reduce discharges into the region’s watercourses by April 2025. Beyond that, we are planning our largest ever environmental investment between 2025 and 2030, which includes more than £1bn to further reduce the impact of overflows on our watercourses.” 

The first phase of the project was completed earlier this year and included the replacement of equipment within the storm overflow. 

An additional project on Whitby’s Esplanade is already underway to reduce storm overflow discharges into the river Esk by separating surface water from the existing combined sewer system. The £1.3m investment is expected to complete soon.