A staggering five million litres of water will be needed to fill the central feature of the Bradford Channel development, it was revealed today.

The company spearheading the £350 million scheme came up with the figure after receiving a flood of questions about the finer details of the project based on the Will Alsop masterplan for the city.

The figure equates to more than a million gallons, Bradford Channel Limited's ambitious plan to reintroduce water to the city centre prompted questions about how much water would be needed, how it would be kept clean and where it would come from.

The company said the largest area of water would be the canal basin, which will be surrounded by imposing new buildings.

Anthony Barnett, project architect for the Bradford Channel development, said he hoped the basin would be connected to the proposed Bradford Canal, with a flow from the city out towards the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

He said the water for the basin could come from Bradford Beck, which runs through the site, or other water features within the city centre.

Mr Barnett, of Robinson Architects, said the water levels could be topped up by groundwater in the city's aquifers', which are underground layers of water-bearing rock.

"There are quite a few aquifers already in use in Bradford which can be used to top up the water," he said.

A flood risk assessment is being carried out to allow any potential problems to be "designed out" of the scheme.

"In fact a canal would actually help prevent flooding by acting as an overflow," said a spokesman for Bradford Channel Limited.

The company said the canal basin is a stand alone feature which will go ahead whatever the outcome of the current investigation into the feasibility of reopening the Bradford Canal.

The company said modern techniques' would be used to ensure the water features and canal basin were kept "sparkling clean, attractive and well-maintained".

Edward Stanners, chairman of the Canal Road Business Forum, said: "The whole idea of bringing water back into the centre is exciting.

"Bradford businesses raised the finance for the original Bradford Canal, and now have the chance to work to bring it back, once again, as a tremendous force for regeneration."

Harold Robinson, director of Bradford Channel Limited, said: "The concept behind the Will Alsop masterplan for Bradford is all about water and reintroducing water into the city. Our design takes its lead from the masterplan and that is why water is the focal point.

"The canal basin will be a fantastic focal point, surrounded by homes, a hotel, eateries, leisure facilities, shops along with high quality landscaping and public art," he said.

There are plans for several water features between The Channel and the city centre which will give the impression of continuous water.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk