Controversial water giant points to 'progress on reducing discharges' in Harrogate and wider region
Yorkshire Water says it will invest £378 million in storm overflows in North Yorkshire as new figures show it is making headway on reducing discharges into watercourses.
With a total investment of £1.5 billion going into storm overflows project across the region, the much-criticised water giant reports that the number of discharges into watercourses in Yorkshire decreased by 24.5% in 2025 compared to the previous 12 months.
Discharges fell from 68,164 to 51,404 and the duration of the discharges into watercourses fell from 430,263 hours to 285,230 hours – a decrease of 33.7%.
The average number of discharges per storm overflow also decreased from 31.4 in 2024 to 23.6 in 2025.
The decrease in 2025 follows a 12% reduction in discharges in 2024.
After years of criticism over pollution and water quality in North Yorkshire from campaigners, politicians and residents, Yorkshire Water says the results of its record investment are starting to be seen in the Harrogate district, too.
In particular, the firm is reporting a reduction in discharges at Dacre Banks near Pateley Bridge and South Stainley near Ripon.
Richard Stuart, Director of Yorkshire Water’s Asset Delivery and Engineering, said: “A reduction in the number and duration of discharges across the region in 2025 is a positive.
"The dry weather in 2025 contributed to the reduction, but we also saw above average rainfall in the region in January, September, November and December.
"Our £180m investment over the last two years targeted over 100 storm overflows and is delivering a reduction in storm overflows across the region.
“We know we need to continue driving down the number of discharges to our rivers and seas and we’re committed to delivering those improvements over the next few years and beyond.
"By April 2030 we will invest £1.5bn to upgrade and improve more than 450 storm overflows, tackling those discharging the most frequently, for the longest time and those that have a significant impact on the receiving watercourse."
Yorkshire Water is now committed to spending £378m in North Yorkshire storm overflows by April 2030 to further reduce discharges into watercourses.
More information: https://www.yorkshirewater.com/