Reservoir project hailed a success

Work to update two large service containers at Moorgate began in February 2020 but ended up taking three years rather than two because of Covid.

The old reservoirs – dating back to 1908 and 1955 – were failing and the new ones were required to supply 20,000 homes and Rotherham Hospital.

Friends of Boston Castle and Parklands had successfully argued that Yorkshire Water should use the same footprint for the new rather than taking over the top field in a land swap with Rotherham Council.

Mott McDonald Bentley carried out the works, which saw the first reservoir – able to hold four million litres of water – completed in summer 2021.

The larger container – with an eight million-litre capacity – was completed in late July and work reinstating the public field was finished last week.

Yorkshire Water project manager Helene Moore said: “I am delighted to see that the second reservoir is now in service, bringing high quality water to thousands of properties across Rotherham.

“This scheme has been a fantastic investment in the longevity of Rotherham’s clean water systems and despite setbacks due to Covid, we’ve given these reservoirs a new lease of life.

“The area that was used to store the red stone and other assets throughout the construction period has been cleared and re-seeded, and we’re really pleased with the overall success of the project.”

To make room for the reservoirs, Rotherham Red sandstone was dug up from the site. Smaller pieces of the rock have been used to separate the field from the access road, while larger pieces have been given to a stone mason, who will create a piece to feature in the park.

Janet Worrall, secretary of the friends group, said: “After upwards of four years it’s great that the playing field in Boston Park has now been handed back to the council.

“The field is starting to look green again and pieces of Rotherham Red sandstone which has been discovered during Yorkshire Water’s excavation of the area now forms part of the perimeter.

“The field should be in public use by the autumn and hopefully some funds can be found for its inclusion in further regeneration of the park.”