An innovative river restoration project by Yorkshire Water could revolutionise the way the water industry approaches meeting river water quality standards.

Ecologists, land managers and other stakeholders gathered yesterday to celebrate the progress of an innovative habitat improvement project on a section of the River Dearne - Yorkshire Water’s first river restoration project.

The Land Trust and Barnsley Council and managing agents Groundwork in South Yorkshire have been working together for four years to make an innovative channel digging project a reality and are at last digging the new channel to allow faster flowing water course through this landscape reclaimed from the old pit spoil and landfill sites.

If the project is successful, it could revolutionise the way the water industry approaches meeting river water quality standards. Yorkshire Water is collecting four years’ worth of data, both before and after the scheme, in a bid to assess its impact and use as a tool to address poor water quality.

Dr Kathryn Turner, Yorkshire Water technical lead commented:

“Following years of investment by water companies to bring main river waters up to European standards, Yorkshire Water are now trailing innovative types of habitat restoration to see if a more natural approach can improve water quality in small post-industrial streams like Cudworth Dyke near Barnsley. This project will breathe new life in to the waters on site and create a home for many freshwater plants and animals such as fish and newts”

Ian Kendall, Estates Manager of The Land Trust said:

“At Rabbit Ings The Land Trust and our managing partner Groundwork in South Yorkshire are dedicated to providing a place where people can enjoy a wide variety of our native wildlife. Therefore we are delighted to be involved in this ground breaking project and are very grateful for the massive investment that Yorkshire Water are making to improve such an important habitat.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust staff have been providing expert guidance throughout the project’s development, particularly regarding water voles which is Britain's fastest declining wild mammal along with other mammals that live within waterside habitats. As the project moves into its delivery phase the Trust will continue to advise the contractors working on site.

Anthony Downing, Environment Officer for Don and Rother Water and Land Team, said:

"The design of this particular scheme works with natural processes to both address water quality problems and create greater diversity of river habitat which will be of benefit to plant and animal species.

“We have been delighted to be part of this project, which not only has provided a good model for partnership working and water quality improvements, but hopefully it will also provide a sound evidence base to support future projects addressing water quality problems around water company discharges."