Working for Yorkshire Water has developed Rumesh Chauhan’s environmental interest.

The recent launch of the company’s upgraded waste water treatment works at Esholt, where Rumesh is based, has made it one of the most efficient and technologically-advanced sewage works in the UK.

Bradford Waste Water treatment works catchment manager Rumesh and his team have been involved in the upgrade from the start of the project to its completion.

The £75m upgrade began in November, 2005, to improve the quality of water returned to the River Aire, ensuring it meets the new European Fresh Water Fish Directive legislation by 2010.

In addition, the works, which serve a population of more than 700,000 in Leeds and Bradford, now boasts new technology introduced to harness renewable sources of energy, including two combined heat and power generators, costing £1m each, which can create one-third of the energy required to power the plant each day by turning methane into heat and power.

The works also include the first hydro screw electricity generator to feature in a UK sewage works, which harnesses the energy created by waste water as it flows into the plant, fuelling ten per cent of the site’s daily energy consumption.

Rumesh and his team were instrumental in designing the site and equipment, but the work has only just begun. “We have got a brand new treatment facility out there and we are ensuring it is working to the right standards,” says Rumesh.

Rumesh’s other responsibilities include managing a team of operatives, technicians and engineers, and generally looking after the day-to-day running of the 25 regional sewage treatment works, more than 100 pumping stations and hundreds of miles of sewage network.

“The job varies from day to day, which is one of the reasons I enjoy it so much,” says Rumesh.

“The people are absolutely fantastic in this company and that is from my operators – with whom I have a close working relationship – right through to the management and directors.

“And the training and development the company has put me through has been second-to-none for my role.”

Anyone wanting to follow in Rumesh’s career footsteps can contact Yorkshire Water’s career helpline on (01274) 692060, or the graduate helpline on (01274) 692483.

For more information on career opportunities at Yorkshire Water, visit yorkshirewater.com/careers.

Members of the public who are interested in touring Esholt’s upgraded works can do so until September 30. Booking is advisable. For more information, visit yorkshirewater.com/book, or call 0845 1242424.