Yorkshire Water is investing a total of £8.9 million across two wastewater treatment sites in South Yorkshire to reduce the amount of phosphorus present in treated wastewater.
Both projects are part of a £500 million investment by 2025 in phosphorus removal throughout Yorkshire under the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).
The work, which will be undertaken at its Ingbirchworth and Hoylandswaine sites, aims to improve water quality in both the River Don and Banks Bottom Dike.
The two projects, both delivered by BarhaleEnpure, will focus on reducing the amount of phosphorus present in the wastewater returned to the river environment after treatment.
A total of £6.5 million will be invested in Hoylandswaine, with the introduction of dual point ferric dosing (a type of chemical dosing with an additional dosing point), a new unit to remove any remaining solids after the clarification process and a new substation all part of the plans.
This aims to reduce the phosphorous levels in treated wastewater being discharged into Banks Bottom Dike, affecting 3.7km of the watercourse. Work will begin in July, and complete next summer.
Meanwhile £2.4 million will be invested at Ingbirchworth for the introduction of single point ferric dosing to improve water quality along 6km of the river Don. Work will begin in July, and the project will be finalised in December.
Joe Summers, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “It’s important that we keep looking at ways in which we can better take care of our environment, and we know that it matters to our customers too. Reducing the phosphorus levels in our treated wastewater is one way in which we can improve the health of our rivers.”