Work begins on second Horsforth storm overflow scheme
Work has started on a second of three storm overflow projects in Horsforth
Yorkshire Water has begun the second of three storm overflow projects in Horsforth as part of a £1.5bn investment to reduce discharges across the region.
Phase two will see two 26m³ tanks installed underground at Newlay Grove and is expected to take six months to complete, the utility company said.
Storage tanks add extra capacity to the overflow network, holding excess wastewater during periods of heavy rainfall to prevent it from being discharged.
When network capacity returns to normal, flows are sent for full treatment.
“Our storm overflows are operating more often than we, and our customers, would like, and projects like these are helping us bring those figures down,” said Yorkshire Water project manager Daniel Rhodes.
“Newlay Grove marks the tenth overflow project in Leeds in this investment period, but we have many more planned across Leeds and the wider region by 2030 - more than 450 individual schemes.”
The work follows part one of the Horsforth project on Fraser Avenue. The third scheme, on Newlaithes Road, is expected to begin in summer 2026.
Together, the £7m investment will create 300m³ of stormwater storage — enough to hold 300,000 litres — helping to prevent discharge into the River Aire.
Other projects are under way in:
- Stourton
- Beeston
- Kirkstall Cricket Club
- Wyther Lane, Kirkstall
- Burley Village Green
- Spen Lane, Headingley
- Fraser Avenue, Horsforth
- Sussex Avenue, near Hunslet
- Jack Lane, near Hunslet
Once completed, the projects are expected to reduce the number of storm overflow discharges in Leeds by 72%, according to Yorkshire Water.
Storm overflows act as a relief valve for the combined sewer network, which carries both surface water and wastewater, during periods of prolonged or heavy rainfall.
When the system reaches capacity, overflows discharge to prevent sewage backing up and flooding homes and gardens.
The programme forms part of Yorkshire Water’s wider £8.3bn investment in its services over the next five years.