Yorkshire Water launches £1.8m storm overflow upgrade after Sheffield sewage concerns
Ecclesall Road and Granville Road storm overflows to get £1.8m Yorkshire Water upgrade
Yorkshire Water has started work on a £1.8 million project to upgrade two storm overflows in Sheffield.
The work is taking place at the combined storm overflows (CSOs) on Ecclesall Road and Granville Road and is expected to be completed by the end of August.
The investment comes months after The Star reported on a sewage discharge from the Endcliffe Park combined sewer overflow into the Porter Brook less than 48 hours before the annual Friends of Porter Valley duck race.
Families and children later gathered along the river, with some paddling in the water, prompting concern from environmental campaigners about potential health risks.
At the time, Yorkshire Water said the discharge was a "permitted and short-term discharge" caused by heavy rainfall during Storm Dave.
Environmental groups and local campaigners have since continued to call for greater investment in infrastructure to reduce the frequency of storm overflow releases.
The latest scheme includes installing new mechanical screens, kiosks and control panels, alongside upgrades to mechanical and engineering equipment at both sites.
Yorkshire Water said the improvements are intended to improve the performance of the two storm overflows.
Combined storm overflows are designed to release excess wastewater during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall to help prevent sewage backing up into homes and gardens when the sewer network reaches capacity.
The company said it had worked with Sheffield City Council to schedule the work during the school summer holidays to help reduce disruption.
Residents and businesses in the area are also being kept updated on the works.
Lumi Ajayi, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "Investing in our storm overflows is an important part of improving the resilience of our network.
“This scheme will help ensure the system continues to operate effectively during periods of heavy rainfall."
The work is being carried out by contractor Galliford Try and is due to finish by the end of August.
Mr Ajayi added: "Combined storm overflows act as an important relief valve during periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall, stopping wastewater backing up into homes and gardens.
"We'll work as quickly as we can and we'd like to thank the local community for their patience whilst we carry out this important maintenance and performance upgrade."