Sheffield...we're rolling out sewer alarms

16th April 2026

We are installing sewer alarms on properties or premises and these will: - These devices are being installed across the network to: *Help monitor our network *Help you by reducing sewer flood risks *Help us all to prevent sewer flooding

Yorkshire Water is well on the way to rolling out over 92,000 sewer monitor alarms and monitoring devices by 2030 to reduce pollution, prevent sewer flooding and deliver a more reliable and proactive service for customers across the region.

This is part of a £53m investment by the utility, which is already showing promising results in reducing the risk of pollution and improved network resilience as Yorkshire Water, regional operations manager, Lee Pinder, explains:  “We’ve already installed thousands of sewer alarms across the region and plan to install over 92,000, bringing a total of 130,000 monitors by the end of 2030.

“This project is part of our overall commitment to minimise pollution, protect the environment and prevent sewer flooding, by installing sewer alarms across the network in areas that have a high risk of flooding.  Sewer alarms are monitoring devices that send a signal to let us know when the water level rises.  There are several reasons why this may happen.  It could be because of a potential blockage in the sewer pipe which could lead to wastewater flooding in customers’ homes and gardens.

“If we get an alert from one of the devices, our central control room is notified, and it allows us to respond quickly and send an operative to investigate why the water levels have risen.  Ideally, they will rectify the issues before it worsens, potentially causing damage to customers’ homes, premises and the environment.”

Although it is still in its early stages, the technology is revealing some interesting insights as well as providing:

Early identification of blockages
Predictive alerts before rainfall impacts the wastewater network
Faster, more targeted deployment of our field technicians

Customer's due to get a sewer alarm will be notified by letter and we won't need anyone to be in the property/premises as they are usually installed on the gully pipe. If we cannot access it we may need to book an appointment with you. 

For more information, please visit https://www.yorkshirewater.com/sewer-alarms