A private water company has been pouring untreated wastewater in the waters of Ilkley.
Ilkley beach is said to have untreated sewage running in its waters (Image: Wikimedia Commons / TJBlackwell)
Ilkley beach, a picturesque spot in Yorkshire, has been revealed to be potentially hazardous for visitors due to frequent discharges of untreated sewage into the River Wharfe.
Despite its popularity, the beach is located downstream from a sewage treatment plant that regularly releases waste into the river, raising serious health concerns.
Yorkshire Water recently faced a record fine of £47 million after an investigation by Ofwat found the company had been discharging untreated wastewater into regional rivers for an average of seven hours daily throughout 2023.
The investigation also uncovered that nearly half of the company’s storm overflows were in violation of regulations.
Local residents have voiced their concerns about the water quality.
The water was polluted by private water companies (Image: Getty)
“I’ve seen the pipes running into the river from the sewage treatment plant—half of the river was brown and there was a duck and ducklings swimming in that”, Will Drayson, 33, who has swum in the river, told
Others, like Claire Sugrue, 53, avoid swimming in this part of the river altogether.
“The River Wharfe near here is full of unpleasant stuff,” she said, noting that she prefers the clean waters of Ilkley Lido, a nearby pool and lido.
The beach’s attraction draws many visitors, especially during the Bank Holiday, but the risk of encountering sewage pollution has led to warnings against swimming.
Liam Hunter, 43, from Leeds, recounted how he and his eight-year-old son fell ill after a swim.
“We both went in the water, and the next day after our swim we both had poorly tummies,” he said.
Local authorities have put up warning signs about the sewage discharge, urging people to avoid bathing in the river, but the lure of a scenic beach still attracts crowds.
