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What does a good water future look like for Leeds?

Category
Impact
NWCI
Date
groups of people at an outdoor stall with three model dolls houses

On Sunday 20 September, the water@leeds team took part in the Meanwood Festival in Leeds, at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm as part of our Next Water Chapter Initiative.

Using our three interactive "future homes" (the Wet House, Dry House and MAD House), we invited visitors to imagine how homes and communities in West Yorkshire might adapt to water challenges by 2050. The houses and accompanying artefacts were designed to spark conversations about flooding, drought, water use and the innovations that may help us live well with water in the future.

The activity generated many contributions from local residents and community members. Water pollution and sewage in rivers emerged as some of the most frequently raised concerns, alongside calls for stronger regulation and enforcement of polluters. Several people also highlighted the need for clearer ways to report pollution incidents and better public access to water quality information.

Many discussions focused on the relationship between rising water bills and investment in infrastructure, with questions about maintenance, leakage reduction and long-term resilience. At the same time, participants recognised the value of a reliable supply of safe drinking water, and some spoke positively about ongoing work across Yorkshire to tackle flooding and improve water management.

This was our third public engagement event this summer, and it is clear how engaged local people are with water and environmental issues. The conversations were thoughtful, constructive and often optimistic, providing valuable insights that will help shape the next phase of the Next Water Chapter initiative and our exploration of future water systems in West Yorkshire.

Over the coming months, we will be bringing together what we have heard from residents across Leeds and sharing these insights with those working on Yorkshire's water challenges. Watch this space for future events and updates.

If you want to hear more, do reach out to Paul Hutchings and our team!