Investigation of Hull's sewerage system to prevent repeat of devastating 2007 floods
The £200m Humbercare system, featuring a six-mile long transfer tunnel under the city centre leading to a new treatment complex at Saltend, was installed just over a decade ago.
However, its original design and operational capabilities were questioned in a series of highly-critical reports on the performance of Yorkshire Water's assets in the city during the floods of June 2007.
Now the company has embarked on a new computer modelling project covering the whole of Hull's sewerage network to see if it should be upgraded.
Around 100 hi-tech monitors are being installed at different points in the system to record data on flows of both sewage and surface water run-off entering the system during heavy rain.
The monitors will be in place for 14 weeks in an attempt to record and compare how the system performs under different weather conditions.
Wendy Kimpton, Yorkshire Water's flood strategy manager, said: "We area building a completely new computer model of the whole sewerage system.
"The data we get back from the monitors will chart exactly how and where most surface water is entering the system and help us understand what else can be done."
Mrs Kimpton said the company's refurbishment of the its three main pumping stations in Hull following the 2007 floods was nearly complete, allowing it to concentrate on the Humbercare system, which handles both sewage and rain water.
"As a company we have done as mach as we can to improve the capacity and resilience of our pumping stations.
"This new work should be able determine whether Hull needs a level of protection beyond the current industry standard for new flood protection schemes.
"If that happens we would be happy to do it but we will need the help and support of our partners in Hull.
"We are eager to move on and work as part of a partnership in the city."
She said results from the monitoring council be used in a business case to submit to Ofwat, the water industry regular.
New investment plans by water companies have to be agreed with Ofwat, usually covering five-year periods.
Yorkshire Water's current investment programme only got underway last month which means any upgrade of the Humbercare system would have to wait until 2015 at the earliest.
Councillor John Nicholson, chairman of the city council's environment and transport scrutiny commission, said: "I have never been given a satisfactory explanation about what went on in that tunnel before and during the floods so I welcome this.
"However, I do think Yorkshire Water should be footing the bill for this. The company has reserves of £174m in 2007/8 according to its own annual report."