Flood defences at waste treatment sites get £350,000 overhaul boost

Barriers will be deployed when there is a risk of floods to protect the city’s infrastructure, including water treatment works and sewage treatment plants.

This includes Knostrop waste water treatment works in Leeds which is close to the River Aire.

Compared to sandbags, the plastic barriers can be rapidly deployed to create dams, divert waterflows, and help prevent flood water causing damage to Yorkshire Water assets ensuring sewers and water supplies are maintained.

Leeds and parts of West Yorkshire are prone to flooding and on Boxing Day last year people were forced to flee their homes and businesses had to evacuate premises when the River Aire burst its banks and seeped into Kirkstall Road causing devastation.

Several of Yorkshire Water’s sites in the city, Calderdale, and were also inundated

As a result, the firm has carried out inspections at these sites to mitigate future flooding risk. The firm also carried out a major operation to clean out its sewers that were filled with river silt.

Martyn Hattersley, Emergency Planning Manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “During floods electricity, gas and water services are all put under pressure and this investment is about improving resilience to our water and sewage services.

“The barriers will provide a vital extra layer of protection against floods and pollution risks.”