Yorkshire Water is stepping up its game in the battle against water leakage, injecting £16 million this year into a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing leakage by 15% by 2030. This initiative is not just about plugging leaks; it’s a forward-thinking approach to securing future water supplies and promoting water conservation.
The investment is strategically divided into several key areas. A significant £2.5 million is earmarked for advanced modelling and software, tools that will enhance leakage targeting and help understand customer demand for clean water. Another £2.5 million will be spent on acoustic loggers, devices that assist colleagues in pinpointing leaks. Pressure management and network optimisation, crucial for reducing the likelihood of leaks, will receive £5 million. Additionally, £3 million is allocated to fix more leaks, and another £3 million will onboard 100 extra colleagues, many of whom will be apprentices, to join the leak-finding and fixing efforts.
Karen Atkinson, manager of leakage reduction at Yorkshire Water, emphasised the importance of these efforts. “Reducing the number of leaks in our clean water network is really important to us, and to our customers, as we work towards a future with a secure water supply,” she said. “We’re on track to meet our target of reducing leakage by 15% between 2020 and 2025, but we’re already looking beyond that, and want to reduce it by a further 12.7% by 2030.”
This £16 million investment is just the first phase of a £38 million leakage reduction plan over the next five years. It’s a bold move that underscores Yorkshire Water’s commitment to improving water conservation and efficiency. Beyond leakage reduction, Yorkshire Water is also investing £406 million in replacing over 1,000km of mains across the region by 2030. This extensive pipe replacement program aims to further reduce leaks and bursts. The company is also exploring additional boreholes for water extraction and constructing new service reservoirs for clean water storage, with projects at Harton and Scotton already underway.
After a notably dry and warm start to 2025, Yorkshire Water is intensifying its efforts to reduce leakage and monitor water supplies across the region. Atkinson highlighted the role customers can play in these efforts. “While we have lots of proactive work to do to help us meet our targets and conserve water, customers can also play an important role in water conservation – reporting leaks that they spot in their areas is incredibly valuable to us,” she said. “I’d encourage anyone who spots something that looks like a leak to reach out to us so that we can investigate and resolve it quickly.”
Atkinson also suggested practical steps customers can take to conserve water at home, such as taking quick showers instead of baths, using watering cans instead of hoses, and using washing-up bowls instead of running the dishwasher.
This news signals a significant shift in the water sector, demonstrating a proactive approach to water management and conservation. It challenges other water companies to follow suit and invest in similar initiatives. The focus on apprenticeship programs also highlights the importance of nurturing talent and expertise within the sector. As Yorkshire Water embarks on this ambitious journey, it sets a precedent for the rest of the industry, sparking a much-needed debate on the future of water management and conservation.