A WATER company is spending £318m to improve services.

Yorkshire Water says it is upgrading treatment works across the region, which will help reduce consumers’ bills.

Bosses say the work features £10m changes at its Whitby works, which will see improvements to the sludge plant, tanks and washwater system.

In West Stonesdale, near Reeth, North Yorkshire, the company will spend £4.8m on a treatment site to improve supplies.

Further projects include a £13m upgrade to replace Victorian iron water pipes, and a £6m scheme to open up rivers to more fish and encourage salmon breeding.

Richard Flint, chief executive, said: “This investment will have a positive ripple effect on the regional economy, benefit more than 1,000 suppliers we use, and help us continue to be one of the largest employers in the region with 2,500 staff.

“The challenges of a rising population, ageing infrastructure and climate change all come with a cost too.

“By making this investment it will mean we can continue to meet a rising demand for more water, mitigate the impact of weather events, such as extreme flooding, and modernise our assets to enhance performance.”