WATER quality on Barnsley’s stretch of the River Dearne is set to be drastically improved thanks to a multi-million pound scheme to reduce pollution.

Yorkshire Water is investing £5.5m in two wastewater treatment plants that will help to improve the river and its confluence with the Don.

Work is due to begin at Bolton-upon-Dearne’s wastewater treatment hub next month, which will see the installation of a ferric dosing kiosk and external storage tank.

The project has been fast-tracked due to levels of phosphorus, which can lead to a variety of water-quality problems, including low oxygen concentrations.

If levels remain high, it can cause the death of fish populations and harm other aquatic life.

Bolton-upon-Dearne’s wastewater treatment works services 25,000 customers in the area and this investment will ensure continuous and reliable function of the existing plant and accommodate future growth in the area, bosses told the Chronicle.

The work will be carried out by contract partner, Tilbury Douglas, and is due to complete in March next year.

Rachael Fox, head of programme delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic wastewater entering the system from products such as shampoo and liquid detergents.

“The quality of water in our local rivers is incredibly important to us, our customers and the environment and we are working hard to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the watercourse and in doing so, help to improve the health and quality of our rivers.

“Both of these projects are part of our £500m national environment programme, to remove phosphorus at 80 of our wastewater treatment sites and improve water quality.

“They will have a positive impact on both the River Dearne and Don.”