A BARNSLEY sewage works site is to undergo a £20m overhaul to make it the most efficient in the region.

Yorkshire Water is about to start a multimillion pound project to transform the Lundwood waste treatment works as part of major investment in the site, which was built in 1961 and serves a population of about 100,000 customers and businesses in the area.

Over the next two years, the site will have a major overhaul involving the construction of a new activated sludge treatment process and the removal and reinstatement of the existing filter beds. In addition, a new inlet will be built, fitted with a state-of-the-art odour control unit.

John Bond, from Yorkshire Water, said: “This is a huge investment which is expected to bring about significant improvements to the way in which we treat Barnsley’s waste water and the local environment.

“We’re aware that a scheme of this size inevitably brings with it an increase in traffic on local roads and we’d appreciate it if residents close to the site take additional care while the work is being done.”

Once complete, not only will the site be able to operate more efficiently, but water being released back into the River Dearne will be greatly improved bringing environmental benefits to the river and local environment.

Cabins have already been set up within the boundary of the site with the main construction work set to start later this month with the project continuing until April 2020.