SOCOTEC UK & Ireland, a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, has signed its largest-ever water quality monitoring contract with Yorkshire Water, worth tens of millions of pounds.
The new seven-year partnership, with an optional three-year extension, marks the first contract of its kind to be awarded under Section 82 of the Environment Act 2021. SOCOTEC will deliver comprehensive water quality monitoring services upstream and downstream of Yorkshire Water’s assets to strengthen data transparency and support the company’s environmental obligations.
The project, led by Commercial Manager James Teale and Business Unit Director Isabell Holling, represents a significant milestone for SOCOTEC within the environmental monitoring sector. It aligns with both organisations’ goals to publish real-time water quality data by 2030 and improve transparency around environmental performance.
“I am thrilled we have been selected as the supplier for such a monumental contract. Our partnership with Yorkshire Water has been strong for over 15 years, and we are now looking forward to helping them meet their Continuous Water Quality Monitoring obligations under Section 82 of the Environment Act 2021.”
Isabell Holling, Business Unit Director, SOCOTEC UK & Ireland
Under the agreement, SOCOTEC will be responsible for the installation, maintenance and calibration of 736 water quality monitoring stations over the first five years. The company’s Water Quality team will use advanced monitoring systems, including its proprietary AquaHawk technology suite, to collect and verify data within one hour of acquisition.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in how we approach water quality monitoring. The scale and ambition of this project reflect our commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility. Working with SOCOTEC’s expertise and technology, we’re ensuring customers and communities have access to accurate, real-time data that supports a healthier, more sustainable water environment.”
Bethany Harris, Project Manager, Yorkshire Water
SOCOTEC’s UK CEO Matthew Marriott added that the initiative sets a new standard for industry transparency and data reliability. “We’ll be providing real-time, trustworthy data available to the public within one hour of collection – utilising the expertise and innovation of our team to best effect.”
SOCOTEC Group CEO Hervé Montjotin commented: “At SOCOTEC, we are committed to safeguarding water quality through advanced environmental expertise. Across Europe, our 300 water experts provide trusted solutions spanning real-time monitoring, effluent compliance, and hydro-ecological diagnostics. This contract reinforces our mission to act as a leading partner for water-related compliance and risk management.”
The partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to transparency, data integrity, and sustainable water management practices across the UK.
