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This is what happens when it rains in York. And this is what Yorkshire Water says about it

Thu 29 Jun 2023 @ 7:17am - Environment, News
YorkMix

Sewage enters the River Ouse on Sunday, 25 June. Photographs: Michael Neal

Two heavy rain showers, two slicks of raw sewage in the river in York city centre.

The pollution problem in the River Ouse appears to be getting worse.

YorkMix has covered the problem many times in the past, but nothing has been done.

York Theatre Royal

Now it seems it only takes one outbreak of rain to see untreated human waste emptied into the Ouse from the storm drain near the back of Boots on Coney Street.

The sight and the smell is repulsive. As Michael Neal, the riverside resident who took these pictures says: “The situation is appalling.”

Sewage in the Ouse on Tuesday, 20 June 2023. Photographs: Michael Neal

Figures from the Environment Agency show this storm drain – known nostalgically as ‘the Woolworths overflow’ – discharged raw sewage into the river 79 times last year.

These spills lasted 1,472 hours or 61 continuous days. There were more than 50 spills along eight other points on the Ouse in 2022.

We asked Yorkshire Water whether they thought this was acceptable, what they proposed to do about it, and when it would stop.


River Foss fish deaths could have been caused by raw sewage, says council
Disgust and anger as raw sewage cascades down York street

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This is their statement: “We’ve had some significant rainfall in York which has caused our overflow to operate as they’re acting as relief valves on our wastewater system to prevent flooding.

“Over the next two years we’re investing an additional £180 million to reduce discharges from our storm overflows across the region.

“The number and duration of discharges decreased last year but we understand they happen more than our customers like, which is why we’re determined to tackle this issue and do our bit for river health.”

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Thu 29 Jun, 2023

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