Yorkshire Water issue comment – as Chesterfield residents ‘horrified’ after sewage released into river for five hours

It was reported that on Wednesday, Yorkshire Water released combined rainwater and untreated sewage into the river Hipper in Derbyshire for about five hours.

The sewage and rainwater were poured into the river at five different places - including the outlet near Oakfield Avenue in Chesterfield, close to Somersall Park and Walton dam.

The news sparked anger from local many residents who took to social media to express their disgust.

Robert Brock said: “What an absolute scandal. Allowed to make vast profits whilst disposing of sewerage in this manner. Bad for the environment and the people of Chesterfield.”

Joanne Cole commented: “Absolutely horrified to read this post. No lessons learnt from previous events. It’s only 7 months since the hipper flooded causing absolute catastrophic damage to chesterfield. Me being one of the many people affected by having my home flooded.”

Following the incident, Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins also tweeted: “Everyone marked the General Election announcement in their own way. Yorkshire Water marked it by spending 5 hours dumping untreated sewage into the River Hipper in Chesterfield.”

We have contacted Yorkshire Water to confirm why the rainwater and sewage were poured into the river for five hours on Wednesday. We have been told this was a part of storm overflow – a procedure that water companies can undertake to reduce the pressure on sewers and reduce the risk of flooding.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "We understand storm overflows are not something our customers want to see. They occur during or after periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall, as much of our region experienced on Wednesday, to prevent sewage backing up into peoples' homes or gardens.

"We are determined to reduce the operation of overflows and are due to start work this summer on a £1m project at Oakfield Avenue to reduce discharges to the Hipper from this specific overflow. This is just one project taking place in the coming months around Chesterfield to reduce discharges as part of a £180m investment by April 2025 to reduce overflows throughout the region," the spokesperson added.