Home / Environment / Yorkshire Water Fines Fund Cleanup of Polluted Sites Across Region
Yorkshire Water Fines Fund Cleanup of Polluted Sites Across Region
4 Oct
Summary
- £1.5M in fines issued to Yorkshire Water for sewage leaks
- Funds to be spent on cleanup projects in Dewsbury, Hornsea, and Pickhill
- £250K invested in improving water quality in River Wharfe
- £220K given to farmers and moorland managers for Swale and Ure rivers
As of October 4th, 2025, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that over £1.5 million in fines issued to Yorkshire Water for sewage leaks will be spent on cleanup projects across the Yorkshire region.
Several sites, including Dewsbury Country Park in West Yorkshire, Hornsea Mere in East Yorkshire, and Pickhill Beck in North Yorkshire, will receive funding to address the environmental damage caused by the leaks. Additionally, £250,000 will be invested in improving water quality in the River Wharfe.
Swaledale & Wensleydale Environmental Farmers, a cooperative of farmers and moorland managers dedicated to enhancing the land around the Swale and Ure rivers, will also receive £220,000 to support their conservation efforts.
The fines levied against Yorkshire Water reflect the seriousness with which the government is addressing issues of water pollution and environmental degradation. By redirecting the funds towards cleanup and restoration projects, Defra aims to mitigate the long-term impacts of the sewage leaks and protect the region's natural resources.
