Storm overflow project investigations to begin on The Stray, Harrogate

From 17 September, Yorkshire Water will be conducting ground investigations on The Stray, as it looks to start the Harrogate phase of its £1.5bn Yorkshire-wide programme to reduce discharges into watercourses from combined storm overflows (CSOs). 

The boreholes will be 20cm wide and 30m deep holes drilled into the ground to help understand ground conditions and monitor groundwater levels.  Contract partners Ward and Burke will drill three boreholes on the area of grass between Montpellier Hill and the Esplanade over the course of six weeks. 

The information gathered will help Yorkshire Water decide the most effective and safe way of reducing discharges into Oak Beck from the network. 

CSOs are part of the combined sewer network, which carries both wastewater and rainwater, and act as a relief valve when the sewer is over capacity. During periods of heavy rainfall, CSOs discharge diluted wastewater into watercourses to prevent the system from backing up into homes, gardens, businesses and streets.  

Athif Khan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "Our storm overflows are discharging more than we, and our customers, would like, and we're making good progress in bringing the frequency and duration of those discharges down. Last year, we saw a 24.5% reduction in discharges following the investments we've been making.  

"These boreholes are the next step in our plans to reduce discharges into Oak Beck and improve our impact on the environment. We understand how important The Stray is for our customers in Harrogate, and we'll do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum. Once completed, we will return The Stray to its current condition. We thank everyone in advance for their patience and understanding.” 

Once investigations are complete, the boreholes will be backfilled, the area fully reinstated, and the data gathered from the survey will be used to aid the development of the best solution to reduce discharges into the beck. Prior to the boreholes being drilled, ecology and arboricultural surveys have been undertaken.  

The £1.5bn CSO discharge reduction programme, being delivered between 2025 and 2030, follows a £180m investment in the couple of years prior. It forms part of Yorkshire Water's wider £8.3bn, largest ever investment into improving services and its impact on the environment. 

There are currently a number of storm overflow projects in delivery across York, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, Rotherham and parts of North Yorkshire.