Yorkshire Water has today announced details of a £60 million programme of work to maintain and modernise reservoir sites across the region.

Over the next five years, improvement work will be undertaken at 44 reservoir sites in West, South and North Yorkshire. The reservoirs, many of which were built in Victorian times, will undergo detailed inspections to ensure they continue to meet modern-day reservoir safety standards, with work being undertaken to upgrade some overflow channels and embankments.

The company's Manager of Community Engagement, Richard Sears, said:

"The construction of many of these dams were amazing feats of engineering and these structures stand today as testimony to the great skills and foresight of our Victorian forefathers.

"These dams have served us extremely well, some for more than a century. This essential programme of work will ensure that Yorkshire Water can continue to provide the people of Yorkshire with a plentiful supply of high quality drinking water for many more years to come."

Embsay Reservoir, near Skipton

Many of the reservoirs earmarked for investment have become extremely popular with people who visit them for a range of recreational activities, including walking, cycling, fishing, bird-watching and sailing. Mr Sears said that the needs of reservoir users would be fully taken into account when considering what work, if any, would be required.

Mr. Sears added:

"Our reservoir sites attract more than two million visitors every year, making them one of the Yorkshire region's biggest tourist attractions.Our aim will be to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and where necessary come up with engineering solutions that are both effective and in sympathy with the existing structures and surrounding landscapes."

The project will commence on May 10th at Embsay Reservoir, near Skipton, where £2.2 million is being invested to replace the existing overflow.  For safety reasons, Yorkshire Water will need to temporarily lower the reservoir water levels while work is ongoing - the levels will be returned back to normal once work is completed in April 2011.

The reservoirs that will be inspected during phase one of the programme include:

• Embsay Reservoir
  Whinny Gill Reservoir
  Blakeley Reservoir
  Chelker reservoir
  Deanhead Reservoir
  Ogden Reservoir
  Weecher Reservoir
  Windleden Upper Reservoir at Thurlstone Moor
  Widdop Reservoir
  Blackmoorfoot Reservoir
  Brownhill Reservoir
  Dale Dike Reservoir
  Gorple Lower and Upper Reservoirs
  Lower Laithe Reservoir
  Scammonden Reservoir
  Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir
  Withens Clough Reservoir