THERE IS more water entering the River Ouse at York now. Not due to global warming, but due to the Environment Agency diverting water from other sources to supplement the domestic water supply at York.

In the mid 1900s, there was a severe drought and domestic water supplies for York area were very low. Since that time, Yorkshire Water Services have installed a water supply network across Yorkshire. This network enables them to move water from rivers, groundwater and reservoirs throughout Yorkshire to meet the needs of all its customers.

The amount of water being diverted into the River Ouse must be quite considerable so as to enable Yorkshire Water to close down the waterworks at Marton-cum-Grafton, then supply the villages to the west of York with domestic water from York by pipeline at a cost of £6.6 million.

All of this extra water being diverted into the River Ouse, which already had a past history of flooding, must have a big effect on water levels and contribute to flooding, especially in rainy times.

If the Environment Agency or Yorkshire Water Services had spent £6.6 million on a pipeline from the Elvington Waterworks to the York works in the first place, all of this work would not have been necessary and the water could have been turned off when not required. A lot of money is being spent on developing this water company, whoever they are.

As regards dredging. I don’t think it is only the river that needs cleaning out.

Jack Bywater, Selby.