£4m project to reduce storm discharges in Brawby underway

Yorkshire Water has begun work to reduce discharges to the river Seven from the storm overflow at Brawby wastewater treatment works, north Yorkshire, as well as to reduce surface water flooding in the village. 

Contract partners Mott MacDonald Bentley will be installing 300m of new surface water sewer in the village, alongside a surface water pumping station within the current wastewater treatment works, and a rising main to pump the surface water directly into the river. 

Introducing the surface water network should also improve flood resilience in the village. 

 
The new surface water network will take rainfall from a number of houses and gardens, and the highway, to stop the combined sewer network becoming overwhelmed in periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall, reducing the need for the operation of the storm overflow by 65%.  

This project is part of a £180m investment programme across Yorkshire by the end of April 2025 to reduce discharges from storm overflows. 

Omair Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are working hard to play our part to improve water quality across Yorkshire, and the project in Brawby is just one element of a wider programme of works we have underway. Once complete, this project will significantly reduce the number and volume of discharges from the storm overflow, improving the water quality in the river Seven. 

“The village should also see fewer instances of surface water flooding, which we know will have a positive impact on those that live and work here.” 

Councillor George Jabbour, who represents Brawby on North Yorkshire Council, welcomed the news, adding: “I am delighted that work has started to address a long-term issue that has affected the community for years.  This is not the first time since my election as a Councillor that I have had a positive resolution to a local matter thanks to Yorkshire Water.  I am grateful to them for making this investment in Brawby.  I am also confident that the residents too appreciate the fact that this major project is finally taking place.” 

The project is expected to complete in winter 2025. 

For the safety of residents and road users and the working teams, there will be a full closure of Moor Lane for the duration of the project. A diversion will be in place.  

There will also be a closure of the Public Right of Way between Manor Farm and the footbridge over the river Seven.  

Omair added: “We thank those in the area for their patience and understanding whilst we undertake this necessary work.” 

Yorkshire Water recently announced a £500k project in nearby Kirkbymoorside to reduce storm overflow discharges into the river Dove by 17%. 

Across north Yorkshire, 24 wastewater treatment sites are undergoing works as part of a £27.8m programme to increase the storage of storm water storage tanks, which are used in the event of increased flows in combined sewer networks to slow the flow and reduce the need for overflows into watercourses.   

Customer can find out more about Yorkshire Water £180m investment at Yorkshire Water - Storm overflow investment. 

A further £1.5bn will be invested in reducing discharges from storm overflows across the region between 2025 and 2030, the next regulatory delivery period.