Yorkshire Water has been doing some work on an essential safety project since October of last year at Stubden reservoir, located off Long Causeway in Denholme.

The total value of the investment poured into the project comes up to £1.5 million, which will ensure that the 145-year-old reservoir continues to meet the standards of the Reservoirs Act of 1975.

Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) who are engineering specialists are tasked with carrying this work out on behalf of the company and the work is set to take around 12 months to complete.

Stubden reservoir was constructed between 1872 and 1878 and is retained by an earth filled embankment with a clay core approximately 19 meters in height, and approximately 200 meters in length. The reservoir has the capacity of 451,000 cubic meters which is the equivalent to 180 Olympic sized swimming pools. It has a surface area of 41,000 square meters.

Yorkshire Water is specifically making improvements to the reservoir spillway (the overflow structure), which is used to control water flows into the downstream area. The work done is required to ensure that the overflow continues offering effective protection to the embankment of the reservoir, particularly from flood erosion by safely diverting excess flows away from the site.

The main construction work was completed a few months ahead of schedule, switching the team’s focus to some work on grouting and pointing of the existing wave wall and upgrading the existing scour pipe. The scour pipe is located at the lower end of the spillway and provides an additional drawdown facility (emptying facility) in case of any emergencies.

Dave Ellis, Yorkshire Water project manager, says: “We’d like to thank local residents for their continued patience during this essential safety project. “We hope that residents and visitors will bear with us, as this work will ensure the safety of the reservoir.”

Stubden reservoir is one of the sources of raw water for the company’s Chellow Heights water treatment works, where it is treated and put into supply. The treatment works provides clean water to every home in Bradford along with surrounding towns and villages including parts of Mirfield, Morley and Brighouse.