A NATURE recovery project which will improve water quality on Barnsley’s stretch of the River Dearne and in turn boost the waterway and surrounding sites’ wildlife is set to begin.
In partnership with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Water will invest in a range of habitats adjacent to wastewater treatment works in the town.
Efforts will improve ponds for amphibians, dragonflies and wading birds and include the planting of trees to help woodland wildlife.
This includes the endangered willow tit, the UK’s most-threatened resident bird.
Since 1970, numbers have decreased by 94 per cent and they are now extinct in most of their former haunts.
While work at the treatment sites namely Lundwood, Worsbrough, Wombwell and Darton is already underway, the restoration projects will formally begin in September this year.
Throughout the summer, wildlife surveys will gather information on species already residing in these habitats.
Richard Hampshire, nature reserve warden at Yorkshire Water, said: “A key element of our work is to protect and enhance the environment.
“While we’re investing significantly in our Dearne Valley wastewater treatment sites to improve the water quality in the river, it’s also important that we go beyond this and do what we can to support wildlife and the environment in the area too.
“We’re pleased to be beginning this important work in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.”
The ongoing work at the four wastewater treatment plants, totalling over £13m, is expected to be completed in summer 2025 and will reduce the amount of phosphorous in the treated wastewater returned to the environment.
While a small amount of phosphorus is harmless and is an essential part of many ecosystems, it can become damaging to human and animal life when unmanaged.
These projects, along with six other phosphorus-reduction schemes in the area, will improve the water quality of about 34 miles of the river.
Mike Winstanley, regional manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, added: “We are delighted to partner with Yorkshire Water to work with them improving wildlife habitats around four water treatment works in Barnsley, enhancing important sites in this part of South Yorkshire for nature.
“With the help of local volunteers, we will create new ponds for dragonflies and amphibians, whilst also planting trees to encourage a greater diversity of species and create habitat for woodland wildlife.
“Our work with Yorkshire Water provides an exciting opportunity to create more spaces for nature in post-industrial and more urbanised areas, helping to connect wildlife corridors that will in turn allow nature to thrive.”
