As the rain comes down, this should be welcomed after months of hosepipe ban. But for people in Skipton, and many other areas across North Yorkshire, it means more sewage in our rivers.
Last month, in one week alone, sewage was discharged into the River Aire 42 times. The reason cited: named storms and localised flooding – something that you might say is normal for this time of year.
One of the major sources of this pollution is the Skipton Sewage Works, run by Yorkshire Water, which does not have the capacity to handle both sewage and stormwater from Skipton. The town has seen a significant increase in new housing, but despite the hefty water rates paid by new residents, this has not translated into improved infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Yorkshire Water’s CEO, Nicola Shaw, received a £1.3 million bonus, reportedly paid from an offshore account.
Councillor Andy Brown and Cllr David Noland are both calling on Yorkshire Water to put people before profit and invest in the Skipton Sewage Works to protect the River Aire.
This marks the latest step in the Greens’ campaign to improve water quality across the county. Earlier this month, Andy Brown called for the resignation of the Yorkshire Water CEO after Ofwat’s toothless report declared extra pay for poor performance was deemed compliant. In September, Councillor Kevin Foster highlighted sewage pollution in the River Swale as the community bids for Safe Bathing Site status.
And Yorkshire Water are rarely out of the press: at a meeting last month of the Yorkshire Leaders Board with Yorkshire Water, members identified an “urgent need to rebuild public trust” in the company following repeated pollution incidents and a 41 per cent price hike for residents. Meanwhile, reports last week found that Yorkshire Water may have attempted to change the way bathing water quality was assessed in Scarborough to avoid a £1.2m fine.
Councillor Andy Brown (Green Party) explains:
Every time there is the least bit of rain, sewage is being released into this river from the Skipton Sewage Works because little or nothing has been done to increase its capacity.Despite the amazing work of Campaigners to raise awareness of Yorkshire Water’s constant releases of sewage into the River Wharfe, River Nidd and River Aire, the necessary investment has not been made and it’s simply not fit for purpose. Yorkshire Water is prioritising profit and pay packets above service to paying customers. It stinks – literally.
Councillor David Noland (Green Party – Skipton North & Embsay-with-Eastby) commented:
This is not the Middle Ages – Yorkshire Water must stop using our rivers as open sewers.
