More investment is lined up for 2026, including in storm overflow reduction, new water mains and new boreholes.
Bosses at Yorkshire Water have highlighted that more than 900 people have been hired to the organisation since April, as part of a raft of new projects. The utilities firm, which operates water and waste water services across the region, says the jobs have come as part of an £8.3bn investment programme that is a “major milestone” for the company.
The huge investment – said to be Yorkshire Water’s largest ever – is focussed on customer service, reducing pollution and leakage, maintaining high quality drinking water and protecting rivers and coastline. And the big influx of man power has been required to support the work, with jobs including engineering, environmental protection, customer service, operations and digital.
So far, the recruits have played a part in fixing more than 15,000 leaks, replacing 120km of pipes and upgrading 100,000 smart meters. They have also helped Yorkshire Water support the most financially vulnerable customers with £34m of bill support, the company said.
Michelle Naisbitt, director of people at Yorkshire Water, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Yorkshire Water. Welcoming more than 900 new colleagues since April shows the scale of our ambition and commitment to investing in both our people and the region. Our teams are at the heart of everything we do, and their work is essential in delivering the improvements our customers expect and deserve.”
Now, further investment is lined up for 2026. Building on efforts in 2025, which saw more 200 investment projects begin, there will be further investment in storm overflow reduction, new water mains, new boreholes and improved customer service.
Mr Naisbitt added: “The vast majority of people working here are customers too, so we understand what matters most to Yorkshire. We know the work required is complex and will take some time to deliver, but we are committed to embracing change and are focused on creating a sustainable future for Yorkshire to benefit our customers, the environment and our people.”
In December, Yorkshire Water issued a plea to households not to cause blocked drains and sewer overflows during the festive season. It came as the firm issued pictures showing a number of unusual items found in the system, including a drone, toys and a shopping basket.