Yorkshire adds phosphorous-treating ponds to wastewater site

Yorkshire Water has begun work on the construction of a wetland integrated to a wastewater treatment works to remove phosphorous from treated wastewater before it is returned to the environment.

The company awarded contracts to BarhaleDoosan and Stantec for the work to create 4000 square metres of ponds that will use local clay with wetland plant species to add a natural step to the process

The site in Clifton will treat millions of litres of water each year with 25 different plant species, totalling over 20,000 plants across the site. The plants have been selected to promote diverse habitats, with particular attention given to creating environments which support bees and other pollinators to increase biodiversity.

Michael Housby, lead project manager at Yorkshire, said the project partners will bring experience of delivering natural, sustainable and low-carbon way to treat wastewater.

“Once completed, the integrated wetland will provide a range of environmental benefits, including reducing reliance on energy-heavy treatment processes, which forms a key part of Yorkshire Water’s ambitious aim to achieve carbon net zero by 2030,” Housby said.

Louis Quartly, director of asset management at Stantec, added that the integrated-wetlands will provide benefits across Yorkshire Water’s six capitals – financial, manufactured, natural, human, intellectual and social – whilst providing a resilient treatment facility, particularly well-suited to rural communities.

The project is expected to be completed in autumn 2021.