"WE are sorry" was the message from Yorkshire Water's Andy Taylor at the northern area forum on Monday night regarding the failure of the sewage pumps.
The spill on 4 August led to flooding and untreated waste water being pumped into the harbour for 52 hours.
Specialist equipment had to be loaned from Thames Water to deal with the situation and temporary lighting and ventilation equipment had to
be installed before staff could even begin repairs.
Yorkshire Water has promised its response and clean-up teams will deal with reported problems faster and better.
“The weather has tested the system to the limit and has highlighted a number of weak points which Yorkshire Water accepts needs addressing,” a spokesman said in a media briefing.
Increasing storms require a strategic approach, said the company, involving the local authority, the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards and property developers.
Following exceptional heavy rain, water is escaping from the sewerage system via manholes and flooding roads and gardens.
As a result of mechanical failure at Endeavour Wharf Yorkshire Water says it worked hard to reinstate the station with a team of 50 engineers working flat out.
Yorkshire Water defended itself, saying it regularly updated the media and local councillors but admitted it was slow to respond to reports of surcharging from manhole covers in the harbour area.
It claims there have been no subsequent issues at its station since it went back online on 7 August.
The authority assures customers it is working on a permanent solution which it hopes will prevent further surcharging form manholes after heavy rain.
Work is continuing at Tin Ghaut slipway where Yorkshire Water is currently working and has put up fencing to protect the working area and are making permanent repairs to manhole covers.
The presentation involved images of the broken pump but when the Whitby Gazette asked for an image, we were told the media was not allowed to circulate these images for fear of terrorist attacks.
Mr Taylor, head of collection and treatment for the north area, said nothing will be done about the Mulgrave Road sewage spills until after 2010
Yorkshire Water will seek funding in its next business plan but the decision lies with OfWat.
The five-year programme of funding system overseen by OfWat was explained and offered as the explanation as to why nothing will happen until then.
The full article contains 400 words and appears in Whitby Gazette Friday newspaper.
