WORK has begun on a £16million project in York to create a new state-of-the-art water treatment works.

The new works at Acomb Landing will replace the current facility, which has provided drinking water to residents of York since 1846. Yorkshire Water said that over the years, the site had been extended to meet supply and water quality standards, but ageing equipment had meant the treatment process was especially labour intensive.

“Since 1999, the plant’s capacity has been downsized with only two of the four treatment streams currently operational,” said a spokesman.

“The new treatment works will not only be able to treat more water - about 35,000,000 litres everyday, equivalent to 14 Olympic swimming pools full – but it will also boast state-of-the-art treatment facilities which will ensure it exceeds stringent water quality standards, with residents of York receiving better quality drinking water than ever before.”

The work includes building a new plant and a high-voltage electricity sub-station and a pump control panel kiosk.

The company warned the scheme would mean an increase in traffic entering and leaving the works but it would keep any disruption to an absolute minimum.