TAKE NOTICE that due to the threat of a serious water shortage in the Yorkshire area caused by an exceptional shortage of rain, YORKSHIRE WATER SERVICES LIMITED (company number 02366682) whose registered office is at Western House, Halifax Road, Bradford, BD6 2SZ is applying to the Environment Agency for twelve drought permits in the North West Area catchments under section 79A of the Water Resources Act 1991 (as amended).

The drought permits are intended to be in place for up to six months from date of issue and propose to reduce the compensation releases from reservoirs in the Wharfe, Aire, and Worth river valleys.

Leeming Reservoir (SE 03 34)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Leeming Reservoir under conditions defined by the Leeming Reservoir impoundment licence (NE/027/0014/010) to compensate the downstream receiving watercourse, Leeming Water. The volume released is dependent on the stock levels in Leeming Reservoir and in Leeshaw Reservoir, which is operated under the terms of the Leeshaw Reservoir impoundment licence (NE/027/0014/011). Under the Leeming Reservoir impoundment licence conditions, not less than 4 megalitres per day (Ml/d) must be continuously discharged when Leeming reservoir level is either above or below the control lines and Leeshaw reservoir level is above the control lines defined in the respective licences, or 5.25 Ml/d when the Leeming reservoir level is above its control line and Leeshaw reservoir level is below its control line, or 3.25 Ml/d when both the Leeshaw and Leeming reservoir levels are below their control lines.

The drought permit application for Leeming Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release required when Leeming reservoir level is above or below the control line and Leeshaw reservoir level is above the control line to 2 Ml/d, to reduce the compensation release when Leeming reservoir level is above the control line and Leeshaw reservoir level is below the control line to 2.63 Ml/d and to reduce further when the reservoirs are both below the control lines to 1.625 Ml/d. There would then be a further reduction to 1.33 Ml/d when Leeming reservoir level is above or below the control line and Leeshaw reservoir level is above the control line, and to 1.75 Ml/d when the Leeming reservoir level is above or below the control line and Leeshaw reservoir level is below the control line or 1.083 Ml/d when both the Leeshaw and Leeming reservoir levels are below the control lines, if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Leeshaw Reservoir (SE 01 35)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Leeshaw Reservoir under conditions defined by the Leeshaw Reservoir impoundment licence (NE/027/0014/011) to compensate the downstream receiving watercourse, Dunkirk Beck. Under the licence conditions, we must continuously discharge not less than 4 Ml/d when the reservoir level is above the control line defined in the licence, or 2.75 Ml/d when the reservoir level is below the control line. The drought permit application for Leeshaw Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release required when the reservoir stocks are above the control line to 2 Ml/d, or when the reservoir stocks are below the control line to 1.375 Ml/d. There would then be a further reduction to 1.33Ml/d when the reservoir level is above the control line or 0.92 Ml/d if below the reservoir control line, if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Springhead Weir Maintained Flow (SE 02 37)

Yorkshire Water is licensed to abstract water from Ponden Reservoir for supply to customers under the terms of abstraction licence number 2/27/14/058 (the “Ponden licence”). The terms of the Ponden licence state Yorkshire Water must release flow from Ponden Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving watercourse, the River Worth. Yorkshire Water is licensed to abstract water from Lower Laithe Reservoir for supply to customers under the terms of abstraction licence number 2/27/14/009 (the “Lower Laithe licence”). The terms of the Lower Laithe licence state Yorkshire Water must release flow from Lower Laithe Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving watercourse, Sladen Beck. Under the terms of both Ponden and Lower Laithe licence conditions, Yorkshire Water must ensure the flow of water at Springhead Weir, which is below the confluence of the two watercourses, shall not fall below 6.00 Ml/d, when the combined compensation flow from Leeming and Leeshaw reservoirs is 8.00 Ml/d, or 8.00 Ml/d when the combined compensation flow from Leeming and Leeshaw reservoirs reduces to 6.00 Ml/d.

Since 10th July 2023, Yorkshire Water has operated Ponden and Lower Laithe reservoir compensation flows in accordance with a multi-year flow trial. The multi-year flow trial does not modify the licensed compensation flow regimes at Leeming or Leeshaw but does remove the requirement to maintain flows at Springhead Weir (including the variable licensed maintained flow linked to Leeming and Leeshaw control lines).

Due to the introduction of variable compensation flows, for the purposes of this drought permit application there will only be one trigger for this drought option. The maintained flow will reduce to 2.00 Ml/d if either Leeshaw and Leeming reservoirs are above their control lines and to 2.67 Ml/d if both Leeshaw or Leeming are below the control lines, if regional reservoir stocks are below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

As part of the drought permit application Yorkshire Water will collect flow data by manual reads of a level board three times per week.

Doe Park Reservoir (SE 07 34)

The drought permit application for Doe Park Reservoir is to provide a release of 1.8 Ml/d at all stock levels, which could be reduced to 1.2 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Hewenden Reservoir (SE 07 35)

Under the terms of the Bradford Waterworks Act 1854, Yorkshire Water must release water from Hewenden Reservoir to compensate the downstream water course, the Hewenden Beck. The Act states Yorkshire Water must release flow from Hewenden Reservoir at mill owners’ discretion. Yorkshire Water currently operates the compensation flow under the terms of a flow trial agreement held with the Environment Agency, whereby a continuous discharge is made of not less than 6.30 Ml/d.

The drought permit application for Hewenden Reservoir is to provide a continuous release of 3.15 Ml/d, which could be reduced to 2.10 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Eldwick Reservoir (SE 12 41)

Under the terms of Shipley Waterworks and Police Act 1854, Yorkshire Water must release water from Eldwick Reservoir to compensate the downstream water course, the Eldwick Beck. The Act states Yorkshire Water must release two fifths of the average daily inflow to the reservoir between 05:00 hours and 20:00 hours every day (barring Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday). Yorkshire Water currently operates the compensation flow under the terms of a flow trial agreement held with the Environment Agency, whereby we continuously discharge not less than 1.00 Ml/d.

The drought permit application for Eldwick Reservoir is to provide a compensation continuous release of 0.50 Ml/d, which could be reduced to 0.33 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Reva Reservoir (SE 15 42)

Yorkshire Water is licensed to abstract water from Reva Reservoir for supply to customers under the Yeadon Waterworks Act 1916. The terms of the Act state Yorkshire Water must release not less than 0.791 Ml/d (174,000 gallons per day) to compensate the downstream water course, the Hawksworth Beck.

The drought permit application for Reva reservoir is to reduce the compensation release required to 0.396 Ml/d. There would be a further reduction to 0.264 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Weecher Reservoir (SE 13 42)

Yorkshire Water is licensed to abstract water from Weecher Reservoir for supply to customers under the Baildon Local Water Act 1890. The terms of the Act state Yorkshire Water must release not less than 110,273 gallons (0.501 Ml) per working day Monday to Saturday to compensate the downstream water course, the Weecher Brow Beck. Yorkshire Water currently operates the compensation release under an agreement held with the Environment Agency to discharge 0.43 Ml/d.

The drought permit application for Weecher Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release required to 0.215 Ml/d. There would be a further reduction to 0.143 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Silsden Reservoir (SE 04 47)

Yorkshire Water is licensed to abstract water from Silsden Reservoir for supply to customers under abstraction licence number 2/27/15/149. The terms of the licence include a prescribed flow condition of 2.409 Ml/d to be discharged to Silsden Beck, whereby no water can be abstracted if the flow exiting the reservoir is below this level.

The drought permit application is to reduce the Silsden Reservoir prescribed flow requirement to 1.20 Ml/d. There would be a further reduction to 0.80 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Embsay Reservoir (SD 99 54)

Yorkshire Water is licensed to abstract water from Embsay Reservoir for supply to customers under the Skipton Water and Improvement Act 1904 and abstraction licence number 2/27/15/45 (the “Embsay licence”). The terms of the Act state that Yorkshire Water must release not less than 1.186 Ml/d (261,000 gallons per day) to compensate the downstream water course, the Embsay Beck. The Embsay licence states a flow of not less than 0.273 Ml/d (60,000 gallons per day) must remain in Mill Beck, immediately downstream of the abstraction point, when abstraction takes place.

The drought permit application for Embsay Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release required to 0.593 Ml/d. There would be a further reduction to 0.395 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan. All releases would be greater than 0.273 Ml/d, therefore consistent with the Embsay licence condition.

Grimwith Reservoir (SE 06 64)

Under the terms of licence (NE/027/0019/011) Yorkshire Water must release flow from Grimwith Reservoir to compensate the downstream water course, the River Dibb, a tributary to the River Wharfe. The volume released changes throughout the year. From 1st January to 19th April we must release no less than 15.1 Ml/d; from 20th April to 10th May no less than 7.9 Ml/d; from 11th May to 11th October no less than 3.8 Ml/d; from 12th to 31st October no less than 7.8 Ml/d; from 1st November to 31st December no less than 15.1 Ml/d.

The drought permit application for Grimwith Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release requirement to: 7.55 Ml/d from 1st January to 19th April; 3.90 Ml/d from 20th April to the 10th May; 1.90 Ml/d from 11th May to 11th October; 3.90 Ml/d from 12th to 31st October; 7.55 Ml/d from 1st November to 31st December. There would be a further reduction to: 5.03 Ml/d Ml/d from 1st January to 19th April; 2.60 Ml/d from 20th April to the 10th May; 1.27 Ml/d from 11th May to 11th October; 2.60 Ml/d from 12th to 31st October; 5.03 Ml/d from 1st November to 31st December if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Carr Bottom Reservoir (SE 15 45)

Yorkshire Water is licensed to impound water at Carr Bottom Reservoir for supply to customers under the Burley-in-Wharfedale Water Act 1899. The terms of the Act state that no less than 0.085 Ml/d (18,600 gallons per day) must be released into the downstream watercourse, the Carr Beck. The drought permit application for Carr Bottom Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release required to 0.0425 Ml/d. There would be a further reduction to 0.028 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks were below the regional Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

The anticipated effect of the proposed drought permits, if granted, will be to reduce the rate of draw down on reservoirs in the Wharfe, Aire and Worth Valley area catchments This will aid winter refill and conserve stocks for public water supply. It will result in a reduction in flow in the downstream receiving watercourses. However, it will mean compensation flow from the reservoirs to the watercourses can be provided for longer than if the compensation releases continued at the current rates.

Yorkshire Water, in consultation with the Environment Agency, has carried out an assessment of the potential environmental impacts resulting from each of the drought permits. This includes an environmental monitoring plan and mitigation measures to reduce the impacts on the downstream ecology.

Anyone may inspect the proposals at the following locations, free of charge, during normal working hours for a period of seven days from the date of formal submission (Friday 25th July 2025):

• Yorkshire Water, Western House, Halifax Road, Bradford, BD6 2SZ.

• Environment Agency, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT.

• Station Road Post Office, Station Road, Haworth, Keighley, BD22 8NL. (Springhead Weir)

• Oxenhope Post Office, Station Road, Oxenhope, Keighley, BD22 9JJ. (Leeming reservoir, Leeshaw Reservoir)

• Denholme Post Office, 54 Main Road, Denholme, Bradford, BD13 4BL. (Doe Park Reservoir, Hewenden Reservoir)

• Eldwick Post Office, 90 Otley Road, Eldwick, Bingley, BD16 3EE. (Eldwick Reservoir, Weecher Reservoir)

• Menston Post Office, 52 Cleasby Road, Menston, Ilkley, LS29 6JA. (Reva Reservoir, Carr Bottom Reservoir)

• Silsden Post Office, 39 Kirkgate, Silsden, Keighley, BD20 0AJ. (Silsden Reservoir)

• Embsay Post Office, 1 East Lane, Embsay, Skipton, BD23 6QX. (Embsay Reservoir)

• Grassington Post Office, 15 Main Street, Grassington, Skipton, BD23 5AD. (Grimwith Reservoir)

• Copies of the proposals are also available to view on the Yorkshire Water website

(www.yorkshirewater.com/drought-permits), and further information on the drought plan can be found at: https://www.yorkshirewater.com/about-us/our-vision-and-plans/resources/drought-plan

Objections may be made in writing to the Environment Agency quoting the name of the applicant and reference NPS/DP/250001 at: Water Resources Permitting Support Centre, Environment Agency, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Parkway Business Park, Sheffield, S9 4WF or psc-waterresources@environment-agency.gov.uk

Objections should be made by Friday 1st August 2025. The response should outline if you are making a formal objection to the proposal and the grounds for the objection. Objectors may also send a copy of their objection to: Yorkshire Water, Western House, Halifax Road, Bradford, BD6 2SZ or publicaffairsteam@yorkshirewater.co.uk.

Dated: 24th July 2025

Signed: Dave Kaye, Director of Water and Wastewater Services

Perminder Kaur, General Counsel

Yorkshire Water, Western House, Halifax Road, Bradford, BD6 2SZ