Yorkshire Water has announced plans to build a new water treatment works in York. Planning permission for the development, which will be constructed within the boundaries of the existing works off Landing Lane in Acomb, was unanimously granted at a York council meeting last Wednesday.

Photo: Hugh Bayley, MP and Charlie Haysom, Head of Yorkshire Water Asset Delivery Unit

The new £16 million works will replace the current water treatment works which has provided drinking water to residents of York since 1846. Over the years, the site has been extended to meet supply and water quality standards, but ageing equipment has meant that the treatment process is especially labour intensive and since 1999 the plant's capacity has been downsized with only two of the four treatment streams currently operational.

The new treatment works will be able to treat more water - around 35,000,000 litres everyday. It will also incorporate state-of-the-art treatment facilities which will ensure it exceeds stringent water quality standards.

In particular, the work will ensure that the new plant complies with the European Freshwater Fisheries Habitat Directive which relates to the protection of fresh water fish and the screening required to prevent such species being accidentally pulled into the treatment works as water is abstracted from the River Ouse.

Plans for the new works involve building a new plant and access road along with a high voltage electricity sub-station and a pump control panel kiosk.

Contractors Earth Tech Morrison are expected to begin building work in May, with the project expected to take around 20 months to complete.