£5m project to improve river Nidd quality starts in Harrogate

Yorkshire Water has begun a Phosphorus removal scheme at Harrogate North wastewater treatment works, off Bachelor Gardens, to help improve the water quality in the river Nidd. 

The work, which amounts to over £5m, will see contract partners Ward & Burke installing new equipment at the site. The new system will use specialist chemicals and helpful bacteria to reduce the amount of Phosphorus in treated wastewater, before it is safely returned to the environment.  

Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic wastewater, entering the sewer system via showers and washing machines through products such as shampoo and liquid detergent.  It can also wash off from agricultural fields after the use of fertilisers and be dissolved from soil which can be difficult to control. 

While a small amount of Phosphorus is harmless and is an essential part of many ecosystems, it can become damaging to human and animal life when unmanaged.  It can cause algae on waterways, which blocks out sunlight for other plants, causing harm to a range of water-based life. 

Lizzie Robinson, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “This project will result in significant reductions in Phosphorus levels going into the river Nidd, with a view to improving the overall water quality for 4.8km downstream of the works, as well improving the overall efficiency of the wastewater treatment site.  

“Phosphorous reduction is an important part of our current investment plan – by 2030, we’ll have completed 85 projects in a £350m programme. Improving the health of our rivers is vitally important, and this is one way in which we can contribute.” 

Alongside the Phosphorous removal project, contract partners Hydro International will also refurbish existing equipment at Harrogate North wastewater treatment works to improve its operation, help manage increasing demand, and prolong its service life. 

All work is expected to be complete in late 2029. 

This project follows a £500m investment in Phosphorous removal over the previous five-year delivery period, which saw the amount of Phosphorous in treated wastewater in Yorkshire decrease by 68%. 

The utility is also planning a £20m investment into reducing the operation of storm overflows that discharge into the River Nidd, having recently begun on the ground investigations for potential solutions in the centre of Harrogate.