New service reservoir planned for Sandybed, Scarborough

Yorkshire Water has begun carrying out surveys in the Sandybed area of Scarborough ahead of work to build a new service reservoir to replace the existing service reservoir, as part of a wider drive to upgrade its infrastructure.  

Service reservoirs are storage facilities for fully treated drinking water with a primary purpose of reducing the risk of supply interruptions to homes and businesses in the local area. 

The creation of the new service reservoir, which includes two separate tanks to enable easier maintenance, will support improvements to the resilience of the local clean water network and help ensure continuity of supply. 

As currently planned, the project will see the new service reservoir constructed off Lightfoots Lane before the existing service reservoir, located off Springhill Lane, is decommissioned.  The reservoir will be covered, and grass-banked. 

The work forms part of Yorkshire Water’s £8.3bn investment into upgrading its infrastructure, improving customer experience, and bettering its impact on the environment.  

The utility recently completed a project replacing 1.2km of mains just outside of Scarborough in Brompton-on-Sawdon, and is investigating further mains replacement schemes around Scarborough before 2030, as part of a wider investment into its clean water network. 

Cat Smart, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “This is one of many important projects across the region that will help us to continue servicing the local area with clean water reliably. Before we start the project, we need to complete detailed surveys to gather information about the area we’ll be working in so we can work as quickly as possible, effectively, and in the right way.” 

Project partners at Barhale will be completing ecological and topographical surveys, CCTV of the drainage network, as well as surveys and trial holes that enable them to locate existing subsurface structures from other utilities and services. 

Cat added: “People will be seeing a bit more of us than usual around Sandybed, but we’re going to be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum.” 

Surveys are expected to complete in around two weeks. Construction of the service reservoir is currently planned in 2027. 

Separately, Yorkshire Water has commenced a public consultation about a significant, multi-million investment in Scarborough’s wastewater network, as it looks to transform how it manages wastewater and surface water in the area and improve bathing water quality. 

Local residents are invited to drop-in to see the details of different solutions, ask questions, and offer their thoughts at the following locations and times:  

• 4pm – 7pm 11 June at Scarborough Library & Information Centre (Vernon Rd, YO11 2NN) 
• 4pm – 7pm 15 June at The Street (12 Lower Clark St, YO12 7PW) 

People can also find out more and leave feedback on the Doing Right by Scarborough page on the Yorkshire Water website.