Yorkshire Water Plans New Service Reservoir for Sandybed in Scarborough

Yorkshire Water has begun surveying the Sandybed area of Scarborough ahead of constructing a new service reservoir to improve the resilience of the local drinking water supply.

Yorkshire Water has commenced survey work in the Sandybed area of Scarborough as it prepares to construct a new service reservoir. The project aims to replace the existing facility and forms part of a broader initiative to upgrade the region's water infrastructure.

Service reservoirs act as storage facilities for fully treated drinking water. Their primary purpose is to reduce the risk of supply interruptions for homes and businesses in the local area.

The proposed new reservoir will feature two separate tanks, a design choice intended to facilitate easier maintenance. Yorkshire Water states that this development will support improvements to the resilience of the local clean water network and help ensure a continuous supply for residents.

Current plans indicate that the new service reservoir will be constructed off Lightfoots Lane. Once completed, the existing service reservoir, which is located off Springhill Lane, will be decommissioned. The new facility will be covered and grass-banked to naturally blend into the surrounding environment.

This upcoming work is part of Yorkshire Water’s £8.3 billion investment programme, which focuses on upgrading infrastructure, improving the customer experience, and bettering the company's environmental impact.

In addition to the Sandybed project, the utility company recently completed a scheme to replace 1.2 kilometres of water mains just outside Scarborough in Brompton-on-Sawdon. Furthermore, Yorkshire Water is currently investigating additional mains replacement schemes around the Scarborough area to be completed before 2030, as part of its wider investment into the clean water network.

Cat Smart, a project manager at Yorkshire Water, explained the importance of the initial survey phase.

“This is one of many important projects across the region that will help us to continue servicing the local area with clean water reliably. Before we start the project, we need to complete detailed surveys to gather information about the area we’ll be working in so we can work as quickly as possible, effectively, and in the right way.”

To carry out this preparatory work, project partners at Barhale will be completing a variety of checks over the coming weeks. These include ecological and topographical surveys, as well as CCTV inspections of the local drainage network. The team will also conduct surveys and dig trial holes to locate existing subsurface structures from other utilities and services.

Cat Smart added that the team is aware of the potential impact on local residents.

“People will be seeing a bit more of us than usual around Sandybed, but we’re going to be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum.”

The initial surveys are expected to take approximately two weeks to complete, with the actual construction of the new service reservoir currently scheduled for 2027.

In a separate development, Yorkshire Water has also launched a public consultation regarding a significant, multi-million-pound investment in Scarborough’s wastewater network. This separate project aims to transform how wastewater and surface water are managed in the area, with the ultimate goal of improving local bathing water quality.

Residents are being invited to attend drop-in sessions to view details of the proposed solutions, ask questions, and share their thoughts with the project team.

The consultation events will take place on 11 June between 4pm and 7pm at the Scarborough Library and Information Centre on Vernon Road, and on 15 June between 4pm and 7pm at The Street on Lower Clark Street.

Members of the public can also find out more information and submit their feedback online via the 'Doing Right by Scarborough' page on the Yorkshire Water website.