ONE of the world's largest research projects into bathing water is taking place to make East Yorkshire's among the cleanest in Europe.
Yorkshire Water is investing �110 million as part of a five-year programme to deliver environmental improvements from Staithes in North Yorkshire down to Withernsea.
This includes a further upgrade to the waste facilities on the east coast.
So far, 15,000 hours of work are estimated to have taken place, with 20,000 manholes lifted up and 6,000 flow monitors used to see where investment needs to be made to improve the water quality.
Among the experts involved is David Kay, professor of environment and health at the Centre For Research Into Environment And Health.
He said: "This is one of the biggest studies into bathing water I've ever heard of in Europe and the world.
"We've had boats out on the sea 24/7 and have been carrying out dye tests in a bid to build a greater understanding of how the sewer outfalls can impact on the quality of local bathing waters."
The project is part of a partnership including East Riding Council, the Environment Agency, the National Farmers' Union and Defra.
As well as improving the environment, it is also hoped the work will lead to the bathing waters succeeding in achieving a new "excellent" standard due to come into force in 2015 as part of the European Revise Bathing Water Directive.
Success in this would mean councils could apply for a coveted European Blue Flag, which would be a major tourism boost.
Last year, Bridlington North was the only area to achieve the Blue Flag status.
Lee Pitcher, Yorkshire Water bathing water strategy manager, said: "Yorkshire is targeting eight Blue Flags, which would mean we have more Blue Flags per 100km of coastline than Portugal.
"In some areas, Yorkshire Water's sewers, outfalls, overflows and treatment works have the biggest potential to impact on bathing water quality.
However, in others there are other sources of pollution that may have an impact, such as private landowners and run-off from agricultural land.
"No one organisation can deliver the excellent standard, which is why this partnership approach is essential.
"Everyone must work together to deliver the improvements."
With bathing water profiles and beach management plans currently being compiled, Yorkshire Water hopes to have more news on how the money will be spent early next year.
Mr Pitcher said: "It is all about improving the environment and public health.
"The detailed research is vital so we can spend the money on changes that will make everyone proud of the Yorkshire coast."
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