Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has formally demanded that Yorkshire Water publish a detailed leak-reduction plan following the official declaration of a regional drought.
The call comes immediately after the Environment Agency designated drought status for Yorkshire on 9 October 2026. The region has experienced its fifth driest April-to-September period on record, causing local river flows and groundwater levels to drop down to critical drought trigger levels.
Tom Gordon MP:
Dry spells are becoming increasingly common yet the network has been neglected whilst people’s water bills increased.
Yorkshire Water’s own data shows it lost an average of more than 260 million litres a day to leaks in 2024/25, that’s 95 billion litres over the course of a year. It’s simple mismanagement.
In a formal letter sent to Yorkshire Water CEO Nicola Shaw on 12 October 2026, Gordon called out the company for asking households to “use water wisely” while billions of litres leak from the grid. He argued that residents have a right to ensure their higher bills go toward pipes and infrastructure rather than executive pay or shareholder returns.
Key Infrastructure & Financial Figures
- 95 Billion Litres: The total volume of water Yorkshire Water lost to leaks over the 2024/25 period, averaging more than 260 million litres escaping the network every day.
- 38,000 Swimming Pools lost per year: The equivalent amount of lost water measured in standard Olympic-sized swimming pools.
- 29% Bill Increase: The steep rise in water bills faced by local households in 2025.
- £40 Million Penalty: The amount Ofwat ordered Yorkshire Water to pay in 2025 for failing to properly maintain and invest in its infrastructure network.
Tom Gordon MP:
When people are already worried about what climate change means for them and their children, they need to be confident those in charge are managing our vital resources correctly.
We need the reassurance of a ramped-up leak reduction plan, so we can rest easy knowing this will be mitigated and residents won’t be facing a hosepipe band in the summer. I will keep fighting to ensure money goes into pipes, not pay packets.
Three Critical Questions for the Water Boss
The Member of Parliament has requested clear answers to the following points, intending to share the response directly with worried constituents:
- Immediate Actions: What specific measures are being taken right now to find and fix leaks during this drought, and what daily leakage reduction will be achieved by next summer?
- Transparency: Will the company commit to publishing a detailed leak-reduction plan with clear annual targets and financial backing, and when will it be made public?
- Future Readiness: How is the company preparing supplies for more frequent dry spells, and what is the current likelihood of a hosepipe ban for local customers in 2027?