Environmental Information Regulations

In February 2015 the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) heard an appeal against a decision by a First-tier Tribunal in 2011 that water and sewerage companies such as Yorkshire Water were not public authorities for the purpose of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004.

Shoulder ride

The courts have decided that water and sewerage companies are public authorities for the purposes of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004.

Since 2011 we have answered environment information requests voluntarily. The court decision means that requests now fall within the Environmental Information Regulations.

This guidance explains our procedure to help you to request environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations.

At Yorkshire Water we publish a wide range of information and data on our website. This includes our Environmental Policy, drought plan, and water quality and climate change information. Such information is reviewed and updated as appropriate.

Environmental information we publish

Here are links to some of the environmental information we publish.

How to request environmental information

Requests for environmental information may be made by contacting us and we will respond to the request for environmental information in accordance with the 2004 regulations.

It would assist us in responding if you could be as specific as possible in outlining the nature of the information you require.  In the event that a request is too general, we may ask you to provide more details.

Requests for environmental information may be submitted either by email at eir@yorkshirewater.co.uk.


Timescale for Responding to Requests

Once we receive your requests, they usually need to be forwarded to specialist teams within the company who will answer your query. We will respond to requests in accordance with the 2004 Regulations, however please note that the period for providing information may be longer if the information requested is highly complex or voluminous. Should this be the case, we will notify you as soon as possible after receiving your request.


Charging Policy

In some cases, there may be a reasonable charge for providing environmental information, however, no charge will be made for the provision of information and publications already made available by Yorkshire Water (or Kelda); advising on the availability of information, for inspecting public registers or examining information on Yorkshire Water premises.

Please see attached our charging policy.

Complaints

If you have made a request for environmental information and you don’t think we dealt with your request satisfactorily, you have the right to make a complaint. Please state the reasons for your complaint in writing to:

Data Protection Officer
Yorkshire Water
Western House
Western Way, Halifax Road
Bradford
BD6 2LZ

Your complaint will then be investigated and a response issued back to you.