Summary

In the East Bradford area of our operations, we were required to deliver the tightest inland storm discharge quality standards available to the Environment Agency. The Bradford Urban Pollution Management project is the largest integrated study of its type within Yorkshire and has upgraded the sewer network that serves many of our customers who live in central Bradford.

Case Study
Our wastewater Capital Solutions Partner, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) took on the challenge of the Bradford UPM project in December 2002. Their preliminary analysis was used to demonstrate the unsustainablility of Environment Agency’s initial requirements.

As part of the discussions with the Environment Agency we were required to provide detailed analyses of the Bradford Beck system to demonstrate that our revised storage figures provided compliance with the Environment Agency's standards and to further detail the potential costs in terms of resource usage, buildability and the impacts of operating such large storage tanks (odour, septicity, drain down time and impact on Esholt WwTW).

In July 2003 the Environment Agency confirmed that their original requirements were indeed unsustainable and reduced their storage requirements to the more appropriate set of standards which were agreed for the Bradford Beck downstream of East Bradford. This resulted in the notional storage for the catchment reducing from >100,000 m3 to 22,500 m³. This storage provision still afforded significant improvements to the River quality of Bradford Beck, with 75% of the polluting load discharged prior to the study now retained within the sewerage system. Also, this option provides the appropriate level of protection for this watercourse whilst providing best value to our customers.

Using the new agreed standards, MMB then designed an effective and efficient stormwater management strategy to solve the river water quality deficiencies in West Bradford with a further 4,750 m³ reduction in the notional storage volume.

This investment in both water quality and aesthetic improvements to the Bradford Beck catchment leaves the company well prepared for future regulation. Bradford Beck has recently been designated as a Cyprinid (coarse fish) Freshwater Fishery under the Fresh Water Fish Directive and this investment should ensure no further protection is required. Further potential investment to meet any requirements of the Water Framework Directive in 2012 will need to be reviewed but it is hoped will be unlikely.

“The Bradford UPM study has been an excellent example of how our close working relationship with Yorkshire Water should deliver significant environmental benefits to the Bradford Beck "

• The residents of Bradford have received significant improvements to their local living environment.
• The Bradford Beck will now be of a quality sufficient to support fish throughout its length and existing fish populations upstream of the city centre will be further protected.
• All of these improvements have been delivered with the minimum disruption to the City and most efficient use of resources.
• Good working relations with project partners, EA, MWH and MMB
• Our Asset Management Plan 3 obligations have been delivered on time and within budget.