Yorkshire Water admits sewage scheme falls short
The firm says the scheme to reduce storm overflow discharges has not performed as expected.
Yorkshire Water has acknowledged a £1.5 million initiative to curtail storm overflow discharges into a North Yorkshire river has underperformed. When the investment was announced in 2024 for the River Ure in Ripon, the utility firm claimed the scheme would lessen the problem by roughly 75%. However, it disclosed that the frequency of recorded discharges from its Clock Tower combined sewer overflow (CSO), close to the Ripon bypass bridge, dropped from 75 in 2021 to 43 in 2025, a decrease of approximately 43%.
The company described the outcome as "disappointing," but emphasized that comparing yearly figures is challenging due to rainfall levels. [2025] was an especially dry year, which likely further reduced discharges, a Yorkshire Water representative said. Despite the decline, the scheme did not meet expectations, which is a letdown.
Combined sewer overflows are intended as pressure relief points on sewer networks that transport both wastewater and rainwater. During intense rainfall, they may discharge into watercourses to prevent overloaded sewers from backing up into residences, businesses, and streets. Such discharges can be authorized by the Environment Agency under certain conditions.
Independent testing by environmental advocacy group Stop Ure Pollution and the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust has uncovered worries about bacteria and other pollution in the river upstream. The Skipton and Ripon branch of the North Yorkshire Green Party has filed an Environmental Information Regulations request, asking Yorkshire Water for details on the performance of the Clock Tower scheme and changes in discharges following 2025 work.
Green Party councillor Andy Brown decried the sewage levels in the rivers as "deeply disgusting" and labeled the latest testing further upstream as "far from reassuring." He stated that campaigners and organizations, including Ripon City Council, will persist in demanding enhancements. Yorkshire Water must contribute, he said, acting and delivering facts plainly and unmitigated.
Yorkshire Water stated it is exploring additional Ripon projects as part of a £1.5 billion investment program aimed at reducing storm overflow use. We recognize there is much more to do to safeguard local watercourses, the spokesperson said.
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