Ilkley sewage outfalls set for Yorkshire Water remote camera pilot

A number of Yorkshire Water wastewater outfalls in Ilkley will be fitted with remote solar-powered cameras as part of a pilot scheme to improve visibility of the network, enable quicker assessment of equipment and reduce carbon emissions.

Forty Meteor cameras will be installed on Yorkshire Water assets on the River Wharfe.

The cameras will provide still images to Yorkshire Water teams and enable them to quickly assess equipment and determine if an outfall requires further inspection, as well as allowing the utility company to carry out regular visual inspections of assets remotely.

Matthew Armitage, business transformation lead at Yorkshire Water, said: “River health is a significant concern for us and the wider public. We’re committed through the Wharfe Partnership to deliver innovative ways to improve visibility of the sewer networks and improve the health of the Wharfe.

“These solar-powered cameras will allow our teams to quickly assess how our assets are performing. By accessing images remotely, investigations can be carried out quickly before sending one of our teams to site, improving our efficiency, reducing emissions through travel for inspections and ultimately offering better value for money for our customers.”

A total of 150 cameras will be installed as part of the pilot scheme, with other locations including:

• River Don, Todd Hall Dyke, Porter Brook and Shire Brook, Sheffield
• River Dearne, Barnsley
• River Aire, Shipley
• River Ouse, York
• Oak Beck, Harrogate
• Gledhow Valley Beck and River Aire, Leeds
• Bradford Beck, Bradford
• Cod Beck, Thirsk