Yorkshire Water: MPs demand 'immediate steps' from new boss to tackle pollution

Outgoing CEO Nicola Shaw dramatically announced she was standing down last week, and is being replaced by Nicola Medalova.

The former National Grid chief of staff is already in post as chief executive designate and will take over full time in January.

She is joining just as the Environment Agency has downgraded Yorkshire Water to its lowest pollution score of one star, amid a huge £8bn investment to try and improve the firm’s creaking infrastructure.

The EA handed down the damning rating after Yorkshire Water was responsible for 260 pollution incidents across the region in the last financial year, a 72 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

Earlier in the year, the firm apologised for pumping sewage into bathing spots, like Scarborough North Bay, for almost 8,000 hours in 2025.

This contributed to swimming not being advised at Yorkshire’s three rivers with designated bathing water status - Ilkley Beach and the Wilderness site on the Wharfe, and Knaresborough Lido, on the Nidd.

Sixteen Yorkshire Labour MPs have written to Ms Medalova urging swift action on pollution and sewage.

In a letter, shared with The Yorkshire Post, they said: “Yorkshire Water’s latest one-star environmental performance assessment demonstrates the seriousness of the situation.

“The company’s current record falls far below what our constituents expect: a safe and reliable service, and bills that represent fair value for money.

“Labour MPs from across the region have raised concerns about service failures, infrastructure, rising bills and the company’s wider performance.

“We have sought assurances directly from Yorkshire Water’s previous leadership, but we are disappointed that this engagement has not produced the scale or pace of change required.”

They called on Ms Medalova to set out “immediate and long-term steps” to reduce pollution incidents, improve overall customer service and how the infrastructure investment would be delivered “at a fair cost to customers”.

The MPs asked for the new CEO to explain how Yorkshire Water will report on its progress to the public and politicians.

This comes after Andy Burnham announced yesterday that regional councils - led by mayors - would give local communities more control over their water companies.

Separately, Shipley MP Anna Dixon also wrote to Yorkshire Water calling on all details of Ms Medalova’s executive pay to be published in full.

Her predecessor, Ms Shaw was caught up in a scandal when it was revealed she received three £660,000 payments from Yorkshire Water’s Jersey-based parent company Kelda Holdings, including in years when the firm had been hit by a bonus ban.

The Yorkshire Post understands Ms Medalova will not receive these fees, however Yorkshire Water declined to comment on requests for her pay to be made public at this stage.

On her appointment, the incoming CEO said: “Yorkshire Water faces huge challenges but also great opportunities for continued improvement and I look forward to working with Nicola Shaw, the leadership team and colleagues across the business as I get up to speed.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know Yorkshire Water, its people and the communities it serves.

“My immediate priority will be to listen and learn, while maintaining a relentless focus on delivery.

“Yorkshire Water will ultimately be judged by what it delivers for customers, communities and the environment, and I’m excited about the opportunity to help shape its future.”

Yorkshire Water has been contacted for comment.