Yorkshire Water has one of the best environmental records in the UK and is one of the few water companies continuing to reduce its number of pollution incidents, according to a new report.

Environment Agency experts found that Yorkshire Water, which last year recorded the second lowest number of pollution incidents in the industry, has consistently reduced pollution events year on year.

The water company is Yorkshire's biggest investor in the environment and has spent more than £400 million improving its vast number of sewage treatment works, pumping stations and sewers.

Graham Dixon, director of waste water, said: "Over the last five years we've achieved a massive reduction in pollution incidents, cutting them by more than 80 per cent.

"When you consider that we collect and treat over one billion litres of sewage every day, this is a significant achievement. Yorkshire Water is committed to achieving the highest environmental standards and today's report clearly shows that we are heading in the right direction."

For the first time, the Environment Agency's annual Spotlight On Business Environmental Performance has published the extent to which water companies have complied with their discharge consents.

These consents are designed to ensure the company's discharges do not damage the region's aquatic environment, killing fish and endangering wildlife. Yorkshire Water achieved 100 per cent compliance - not only in 2002, but for the fourth time in the last five years. A report published by the Environment Agency in November 2002 showed that the quality of the region's rivers and bathing waters was the best ever, predominantly as a result of Yorkshire Water investment.

Graham Dixon said: "We know that there is no room for complacency and are fully aware that even just one pollution incident is one too many. Pollution prevention is at the forefront of the company's mind and we will continue to work hard to ensure that in the future we can totally eliminate all pollution incidents."

Over the next three years, Yorkshire Water will be investing more than £200 million to improve the effectiveness of around 1,000 sewer overflows. These changes are expected to lead to further improvements in the quality of Yorkshire's river water, and better conditions for wildlife and river users alike.

Updated: 10:34 Thursday, July 31, 2003