MORE 'leakage inspectors' are being recruited to help plug holes in the district's water pipe network.

Yorkshire Water (YW) is taking on about 70 new inspectors, as it bids to slash the number of leaks from its pipelines.

Forty people have already been employed, with the remaining posts to be filled in the coming months.

They will work for YW and RPS, a specialist consultancy contracted to the company.

Over the past five years, repairs have had to be carried out to an average of 5,400 water mains each year.

And recent months' freezing temperatures have seen figures soar.

Since November, the firm has repaired over 2,300 mains, with the weather contributing to bursts and cracks.

YW aims to cut leakage rates by 40 per cent by 2025.

Andrew Roach, the company's head of water distribution, said: "As we drive towards our challenging leakage reduction target, the new inspectors form a key part of our vital frontline teams which tackle leaks 24/7 in all weathers.

"Our ambitious targets will deliver benefits for our customers and the environment.

"We will also need the help of the public to ensure we find leaks quickly, enabling our teams to carry out efficient repairs."

The latest recruitment will take the total number of leakage inspectors to 230, bolstered by a 113-strong team of field technicians.

YW is also using latest technology – including drones, satellites and 'acoustic ears' – to pinpoint and tackle leaks.

The acoustic ears are able to listen to the noise made by the water and help data scientists identify unusual sound patterns, which could indicate leakage.

And last year, satellite systems used in outer space to hunt for water on other planets was trialled in Keighley to find leaks.

YW utilised the equipment to scour its network, and the pioneering project was hailed a success.

During the trial, carried out in both Keighley and Halifax, 44 underground pipe leaks were identified.

They were quickly repaired by the company's response team, saving an estimated 330,000 litres of water a day escaping from the network.

YW was partnered in the venture by Israeli company Utilis, represented in the UK by Suez Advanced Solutions – a world leader in satellite water-leakage detection.

A Japanese satellite carrying a microwave radar, capable of penetrating into the ground to the level of the water pipes, was used.

Jason Griffin, YW's leakage team leader in West Yorkshire, said: "Most leaks from our pipes do not result in water coming to the surface and so are hard to identify.

"However, this satellite was able to detect underground leaks from our pipeline within a 100-metre radius, which makes it much easier for our leakage inspectors to then pinpoint and repair.

"On the back of this, more than 40 leaks were repaired and this helped stop a significant volume of water from escaping into the ground."