Construction begins on new underground reservoir

Yorkshire Water is building a new £8.5m service reservoir in Harton, between Malton and York, to increase resilience of the drinking water network in the area and improve supplies locally.

Work has begun on the new reservoir off Longfield Lane, which will be built next to the existing water tower.

Service reservoirs hold treated drinking water and it will supply customers in the local area. The project will also provide capacity in the area for new developments, including a new prison which is due to open in 2025.

Once completed, the reservoir, which will measure 40m by 60m and is being constructed six metres underground, will hold almost 10 million litres of clean drinking water – the equivalent to four Olympic swimming pools.

Phoebe Ripley, project manager for operations, at Yorkshire Water said: “This new reservoir will help to significantly increase the resilience of our water network in the area, improving supplies locally.

“We understand the area will be undergoing a lot of changes over the next few years, and we’re keen to ensure that we’re ready to cope with the demand and provide a reliable service to all our customers both now and in the future.

“We’re planning to complete this project by May 2025.”