Yorkshire Water is conducting environmentally friendly dye-tests off the coast of Runswick Bay today in a bid to build a greater understanding of how its sewer outfalls can impact on the quality of local bathing waters. Residents and visitors are being urged not to be concerned if they spot small plumes of red water in the sea.
The company, which is investing £110million between 2010 and 2015 as part of a multi-agency project to transform Yorkshire's beaches and bathing waters into some of the best in Europe, is monitoring how long it takes for discharges to reach the sea and the effect of underwater currents and tides.
Bathing Water Strategy Manager Lee Pitcher said the dye will have no impact on fish, birds, or other wildlife.
“The dye itself is completely inert and is not harmful in any way to plants and wildlife. Over the course of the next few days, we'll be releasing a small amount from our outfalls and then tracking where it goes. This testing is hugely beneficial as it should give us a clearer picture of how our outfalls operate and the impact they have, helping to inform our planning around £110m investment which we announced in November 2010.
Dye-testing was undertaken in Scarborough and Bridlington back in 2008, with similar work recently completed at Filey, Staithes, Runswick Bay, Sandsend, Whitby, Skipsea, Withernsea and Robin Hoods Bay.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.