In England, Bradford faces typical large city problems such as peak discharge, pollution due to combined sewerage systems and invisible underground watercourses. The city wants its residents to once again appreciate the aesthetic value of water as opposed to just experiencing its negative aspects. Whereas in the nineteenth century, water was the driving force behind the textile industry, in later years the polluted watercourses were often quite literally buried under the ground.

Bradford is working on a regeneration programme in which water will take pride of place in the city centre. Residents and visitors must once again be able to enjoy good-quality surface water. Returning this water to the surface will require purification and management measures to prevent any negative effects, such as public health problems. Further the steep hills around Bradford mean that during heavy rainfall, storm water is often concentrated in still for water available areas. Therefore flood prevention measures will also be needed.

The pilot projects are focusing on:

• Ecological and high-tech purification techniques to improve the quality of surface water.
• Developing controls to ensure appropriate rates of discharge during dry and wet weather.
• Using source control methods such as direct infiltration to retain water in the hilly catchment areas and balance times of concentration.
• Bringing together different stakeholders involved in controlling the quality and quantity of discharges and sharing the costs this entails.

above: Chellow Dene wetland site prior to construction

below: Wetland after cnstruction, prior to planting