Dan Jarvis visits Underbank reservoir

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis, met with Yorkshire Water’s Chief Executive, Liz Barber, and Director of Water, Neil Dewis, recently, to plant the first tree in Yorkshire Water’s second phase of planting at Underbank reservoir.  

The Mayor had a tour of the reservoir, where Yorkshire Water and Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust colleagues demonstrated the progress of the tree planting programme. In its first phase, the scheme saw 18,000 trees planted in order to increase biodiversity, capture carbon and aid with natural flood management in the area.  

Dan and Liz both planted a tree during the tour to mark the start of the project’s second phase, which will see the reservoir become home to a further 18,000 trees.  

During his visit to the water company, Dan also had a tour of Langsett Water Treatment Works which has recently seen a £22.5m investment to install a new innovative MIEX plant, which will help to remove colour caused by peat and streamline the treatment process.  

Of the visit, Dan Jarvis, said: “I was pleased to support the next phase of tree planting at the Underbank Reservoir. This is a great programme which will help habitats thrive and reduce the risk of flooding in the area. Trees are an invaluable tool in our efforts to combat climate change and I’m committed to planting hundreds of thousands across South Yorkshire.” 

Liz Barber, Yorkshire Water’s Chief Executive, said: “It was great to welcome Dan to Underbank reservoir and Langsett Water Treatment Works. The recent investments at both sites are testament to the work we’re doing in Langsett valley and across the region, where we’re making improvements to both our operational and recreational assets.   

“It was great to mark the start of our second phase of tree planting at Underbank, which will help to slow the flow of water after heavy rainfall, provide wonderful habitats for the wildlife around the reservoir and provide carbon offsetting benefits.”