Why invest in Bradford Beck?
When it rains heavily, the sewer network comes under pressure. Storm overflows help protect homes and businesses from flooding, but they can also release stormwater into rivers and becks. We’re working to reduce how often this happens and improve water quality in Bradford Beck. Options under consideration include:
- surface water sewers
- underground storage tanks
- nature-based solutions such as rainwater harvesting, permeable surfaces and rain gardens.
What's happening?
Before we can decide which improvements will work best, we need to understand what’s already there.
Over the next six months, survey teams will be working across Bradford to investigate the ground and what’s beneath it.
They’ll be looking at things like:
- underground pipes and cables
- soil, rock and groundwater
- the shape and layout of the land.
What might you see?
You may see survey teams on roads and footpaths using measuring equipment or drilling equipment.
Some boreholes will be around 50 to 80 metres deep, but they’ll be no wider than a football.
Some temporary disruption may be needed. We’ll keep this to a minimum and contact you in advance if our work is likely to affect you directly.
Have your say
We’ll be holding drop in events across Bradford where you can meet members of the project team, ask questions and find out more about our investigations and what we’re planning. Upcoming events will be added here when dates are confirmed.
You can also contact us using the number below, quoting scheme reference: YW.205282-LLH.
Further information
University of Bradford
We’re building an underground stormwater storage tank at the University of Bradford.
The project will help reduce storm overflow activity and improve water quality in Bradford Beck.
Bradford's water challenges
In this video Andy, a technical director working on the Yorkshire Storm Alliance, explains the issues with water in and around Bradford.
He explains why surveys are necessary and how they can help "optioneer" the best route forward.
Any more questions?
What is a storm overflow?
Our sewer network was originally built to carry both rainwater and wastewater through the same pipes, taking it to a wastewater treatment works where it is cleaned before being safely returned to the environment.
But when there’s heavy rain the system can get overwhelmed, causing wastewater to back up and increasing the risk of flooding to homes and businesses.
To stop that from happening, the sewer system automatically redirects extra stormwater via a storm overflow, which lets the excess stormwater flow out into nearby watercourses. We’re investing in improvements to reduce how often this happens and improve water quality in Bradford Beck.
Will the work effect me?
Some survey and construction work may cause temporary disruption. We’ll do our best to minimise this and will contact you in advance where we’re expecting work to affect you directly.
We’ll also share updates on this page as plans develop.
Will storm overflow releases stop completely?
No. Storm overflows are still needed during periods of exceptionally heavy rainfall to help protect homes and businesses from flooding.
Our aim is to significantly reduce how often and how much wastewater is released into Bradford Beck.
What happens after the surveys?
The survey information, alongside feedback from local people, will help us decide which solutions are most suitable for different locations across the Bradford Beck catchment.