Yorkshire, Various Reservoirs - Notice of application for Drought Permits.

YORKSHIRE WATER SERVICES LIMITED

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR DROUGHT PERMITS

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 seventeen drought permits in the South West Area catchments under section 79a of the Water Resources Act 1991 (as amended). The drought permits are intended to apply for a period of six months from date of issue and propose to reduce the compensation releases from Blackmoorfoot Reservoir (Brow Grains Dyke and

Hoyle House Clough), Booth Wood Reservoir, Ryburn Reservoir, Withens Clough Reservoir, Brownhill Reservoir, Digley Reservoir, Gorple Lower Reservoir,

Walshaw Dean Lower Reservoir, Widdop Reservoir, Warley Moor Reservoir, Ogden Reservoir, Butterley Reservoir, Scammonden Water (Black Brook and Bradshaw Clough), Turvin Clough Prescribed Flow and a maintained flow on the River Colne at Marsden.

Gorple Lower Reservoir (grid reference SD 94 31)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Gorple Lower Reservoir under conditions defined by impoundment licence NE/027/0012/033. The terms of the Gorple Lower Impoundment licence state Yorkshire Water must release flow from Gorple Lower Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving water course, Graining water. Under the licence conditions, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 2.70 megalitres per day.

The drought permit application for Gorple Lower Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release to 1.35 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted and to reduce further to 0.89 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Walshaw Dean Lower Reservoir (grid reference SD 95 32)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Walshaw Dean Lower Reservoir under conditions defined in impoundment licence NE/027/0012/031. The terms of this licence, state Yorkshire Water must release flow from Walshaw Dean Lower Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving water course, Alcomden Water. Under the licence conditions, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 3.78 megalitres per day from January to September, or 15.12 megalitres per day from October to December inclusive, unless the total volume of water in Walshaw Dean Upper Reservoir, Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir and Walshaw Dean Lower Reservoir is equal to or less than 1,291.41 Ml, then 7.55 Ml/d should be released.

The drought permit application for Walshaw Dean Lower Reservoir is to reduce compensation releases to 1.89 megalitres per day from January – September or 3.78 megalitres per day from October - December from the date the permit is granted, and to reduce further to 1.25 megalitres per day from January to September or 2.49 megalitres per day from October to December if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Widdop Reservoir (grid reference SD 93 32)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Widdop Reservoir under conditions defined by impoundment licence NE/027/0012/032. The terms of the licence state Yorkshire Water must release flow from Widdop Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving water course, Graining Water. Under the licence conditions, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 3.24 megalitres per day from January to September inclusive or 12.96 megalitres per day from October to December inclusive unless the volume of water in Widdop Reservoir is equal to or less than 1385.36 Ml then 6.48 megalitres per day should be released.

The drought permit application for Widdop Reservoir is to reduce compensation releases to 1.62 megalitres per day from January to September, or to 3.24 megalitres per day from October to

December, and to reduce further to 1.07 megalitres per day from January to September inclusive, or to 2.14 megalitres per day from October to December inclusive, if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Warley Moor Reservoir (grid reference SE 03 31) Yorkshire Water releases water from Warley Moor Reservoir under conditions defined by the 1961 Calderdale Water Board Order. The terms of the order state that Yorkshire Water must release flow from Warley Moor Reservoir to the downstream receiving water course, Luddenden Dean Beck. However Yorkshire Water are currently operating under an “enforcement position” agreed with the Environment Agency to continuously discharge not less than 3.02 megalitres per day from Castle Carr Reservoir to Luddenden Brook.

The drought permit application for Warley Moor Reservoir is to replace the requirement under the 1961 Calderdale Water Board Order with a requirement to release a compensation flow of 1.51 Ml/d from Castle Carr Reservoir from the date the permit is granted, and to reduce further to 1.00 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Ogden Reservoir (grid reference SE 06 30) Yorkshire Water releases water from Ogden

Reservoir under conditions defined by the 1961

Calderdale Water Board Order. The terms of the Order state that Yorkshire Water must release flow from Ogden Reservoir to the downstream receiving water course, Hebble Brook. Yorkshire Water are currently operating under an “enforcement position” agreed with the Environment Agency to continuously discharge not less than 3.42 megalitres per day. The drought permit application for Ogden Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release by to 1.71 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted and reduce further to 1.13 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Booth Wood Reservoir (grid reference SE 02 16) Yorkshire Water releases water from Booth Wood Reservoir under conditions defined by the 1966 Wakefield and District Water Order. The terms of the Order state that Yorkshire Water must release flow from Booth Wood Reservoir to the downstream receiving watercourses, Booth Dean Clough and the River Ryburn. Under the terms of a flow trial agreement with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 3.41 megalitres per day.

The drought permit application for Booth Wood Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release to 1.71 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted and to reduce further to 1.13 megalitres per day if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Ryburn Reservoir (grid reference SE 02 18) Yorkshire Water releases water from Ryburn

Reservoir under conditions defined by the 1924 Wakefield Corporation Act. The terms of the Act state that Yorkshire Water must release flow from Ryburn Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving watercourses, a mill pond and the River Ryburn.  Under the terms of an “enforcement position” agreed with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 5.90 megalitres per day. The drought permit application for Ryburn Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release to 2.95 Ml/d from the date the permit is granted and to reduce further to 1.95 Ml/d if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Withens Clough Reservoir (grid reference SD 98 23) Yorkshire Water releases water from Withens Clough reservoir under conditions defined by the 1890 Morley Corporation Water Act. The terms of the Act state that Yorkshire Water must release flow from Withens Clough Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving watercourses, Elphin Brook and Turvin Clough. Under the terms of the Act, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 2.64 megalitres per day. The drought permit application for Withens Clough

Reservoir is to reduce compensation release to 1.32 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted, and to reduce further to 0.87 megalitres per day if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Blackmoorfoot Reservoir Brow Grains Dyke (grid reference SE 12 12)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Blackmoorfoot Reservoir under conditions defined in the 1869 Huddersfield Water Act and amended by the

1908 Huddersfield Water Act. The terms of the Act state that Yorkshire Water must release flow from Blackmoorfoot to compensate downstream receiving watercourses, Brow Grains Dyke, Meltham Dyke and the River Holme. Under the terms of an

“enforcement position” agreed with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 2.67 megalitres per day. The drought permit application for Blackmoorfoot Brow Grains Dyke is to reduce the compensation release to 1.33 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted, and to reduce further to 0.88 megalitres per day if regional stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan. Blackmoorfoot Reservoir Hoyle House Clough (grid reference SE 09 13)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Blackmoorfoot Reservoir under conditions defined in the 1869 Huddersfield Water Act and amended by the

1908 Huddersfield Water Act. The terms of the Act state that Yorkshire Water must release flow from Blackmoorfoot to compensate downstream receiving watercourses, Hoyle House Clough and the River Colne. Under the terms of an “enforcement position” agreed with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 0.612 megalitres per day.

The drought permit application for Blackmoorfoot Hoyle House Clough is to reduce the compensation release by to 0.31 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted, and to reduce further to 0.20 megalitres per day if regional stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Brownhill Reservoir (grid reference SE 11 06) Yorkshire Water releases water from Brownhill Reservoir under conditions defined in impoundment licence NE/027/0010/008. Under the terms of the Impoundment licence, Yorkshire Water must release flow from Brownhill Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving watercourse, the River Holme. Under the licence conditions, Yorkshire

Water must continuously discharge not less than 6.90 megalitres per day from November – March (winter), 5.40 megalitres per day from April to May and August to September (spring and autumn); 4.80 megalitres per day in June and July (summer).

The drought permit application for Brownhill Reservoir is to reduce compensation flow to 3.45 megalitres per day in winter, 2.70 megalitres per day in spring and autumn, and 2.40 megalitres per day in summer from the date the permit is granted. Further reductions to 2.28 megalitres per day in winter, 1.78 megalitres per day in spring and autumn, and 1.58 megalitres per day in summer if regional stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan. Digley Reservoir (grid reference SE 11 07)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Digley

Reservoir under conditions defined by the Digley Impoundment licence NE/027/0010/009. Under the terms of the impoundment licence, Yorkshire Water must release flow from Digley Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving watercourses, Digley Brook and the River Holme. Under the terms of the licence, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 10.6 megalitres per day from November to January (winter); 5.8 megalitres per day from February to

May and August to November (spring and autumn); 4.5 megalitres per day in June; and 3.2 megalitres per day in July.

The drought permit application for Digley Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release to 5.3 megalitres per day in winter, 2.9 megalitres per day in spring and autumn, 2.25 megalitres per day in June, and 1.6 megalitres per day in July from the date the permit is granted. Further reductions to 3.5 megalitres per day in winter, 1.91 megalitres per day in spring and autumn, 1.49 megalitres per day in June, and 1.06 megalitres per day in July if regional stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan. 

Butterley Reservoir (grid reference SE 04 10)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Butterley

Reservoir under conditions defined by the 1965 Huddersfield Corporation Act. Under the terms of the Act, Yorkshire Water must release flow from Butterley Reservoir to compensate the downstream receiving water course, Wessenden Brook. Under the terms of an “enforcement position” agreed with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 8.07 megalitres per day.

The drought permit application for Butterley

Reservoir is to reduce the compensation release to 4.04 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted and to reduce further to 2.66 megalitres per day if regional reservoir stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan. 

Scammonden Water Black Brook (grid reference

SE 07 19)

Yorkshire Water releases water from Scammonden Water under conditions defined by the 1965 Huddersfield Corporation Act. Under the terms of the Act, Yorkshire Water must continuously release flow from Scammonden Water to compensate the downstream receiving watercourse, Black Brook. Under the terms of the Act, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 3.49 megalitres per day. The drought permit application for Scammonden Water Black Brook is to reduce the compensation release to 1.75 megalitre per day from the date the permit is granted and to reduce further to 1.15 megalitres per day if regional stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Scammonden Water Bradshaw Clough (grid reference SE 06 14) Yorkshire Water releases water from Scammonden Water under conditions defined by the 1965 Huddersfield Corporation Act. Under the terms of the Act, Yorkshire Water must continuously release flow from Scammonden Water to compensate the downstream receiving watercourse, Bradshaw Clough (also known as Merry Dale Clough). Under the terms of the Act, Yorkshire Water must continuously discharge not less than 1.36 megalitres per day.

The drought permit application for Scammonden Water Bradshaw Clough is to reduce the compensation release to 0.68 megalitre per day from the date the permit is granted and to reduce further to 0.45 megalitres per day if regional stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

Turvin Clough Prescribed Flow (grid reference SD 99 21)

Yorkshire Water are authorised to abstract water from Turvin Clough under conditions defined in the 1960 Wakefield Water Order. The terms of the Order state that Yorkshire Water are authorised to abstract Water from Turvin Clough provided the flow of water immediately below the weir on Turvin Clough is not less than 6.82 megalitres per day. The drought permit application for Turvin Clough is to reduce this prescribed flow condition by 50% to 3.41 Ml/d from the date the permit is granted and reduce further to 2.25 Ml/d if regional stocks are below the Drought Control Line for four consecutive weeks or more, as defined in the Yorkshire Water Drought Plan.

River Colne Maintained Flow at Marsden (grid reference SE 04 11) Yorkshire Water under conditions defined by the 1965 Huddersfield Corporation Act we are required to maintain a flow in the River Colne, as measured by the gauging station at Marsden. Under the terms of the Act, Yorkshire Water must maintain a flow at Marsden gauging station of no less than 7.274 megalitres per day. 

The drought permit application for the River Colne is to reduce the maintained flow by to 3.64 megalitres per day from the date the permit is granted and reduce further to 2.40 megalitres per day if regional stocks are below the 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 South West Yorkshire Area. 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 these 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 eight days from the publication of this notice:

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

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

• Meltham Post Office - Carlile Institute, Huddersfield Rd, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 4AE (Blackmoorfoot Reservoir).

• Marsden Post Office - 3 Peel St, Marsden,

Huddersfield HD7 6BR (Butterley Reservoir and River Colne maintained flow).

• Barkisland Post Office -Saddleworth Rd, Barkisland, Halifax HX4 0AL (Booth Wood and Ryburn Reservoirs).

• Mytholmroyd Post Office, Grange Dene, Burnley Road, Hebden Bridge, Halifax, HX7 5LF (Withens Clough Reservoir and Turvin Clough Prescribed flow).

• Holmfirth Post Office - Station Rd, Holmfirth HD9 1AD (Brownhill and Digley Reservoirs).

• Heptonstall Post Office, 29 Towngate, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7NB (Gorple Lower, Walshaw Dean Lower, and Widdop Reservoirs).

• Oxenhope Post Office, The Cooperative, Station Road, Oxenhope, Keighley BD22 9JJ (Warley Moor Reservoir).

• Illingworth Moor Post Office - Illingworth Rd, Halifax HX2 9RX (Ogden Reservoir).

• Slaithwaite Post Office -Lewisham Rd, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5AL (Scammonden Water). 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/ourvision-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/200010 at: Water Resources Permitting Support Centre, Environment Agency, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue,

Parkway Business Park, Sheffield, S9 4WF or pscwaterresources@environment-agency.gov.uk

Objections should be made by Thursday 11th September 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: 3rd September 2025

Signed: Dave Kaye, Director of Water & Wastewater

Service Delivery

Perminder Kaur, General Counsel

Yorkshire Water, Western House, Halifax Road,

Bradford, BD6 2SZ