Yorkshire Water has awarded a £1.8 million direct contract to Unisense for liquid-phase nitrous oxide (N₂O) monitoring equipment and calibration devices. The equipment will be used at the company’s wastewater-treatment sites.

The devices will continuously measure dissolved N₂O concentrations and temperature in activated-sludge process lanes. The package includes sensor probes, controllers, calibration equipment, accessories and manufacturer support.

N₂O is a potent greenhouse gas produced during biological nitrogen removal at wastewater-treatment works. Yorkshire Water says real-time monitoring will help identify emission patterns and support operational changes to reduce releases.

The contract forms part of Yorkshire Water’s wider nitrous oxide emissions-reduction programme. The company plans to deploy monitoring and control measures across 13 sites by the end of the current asset-management period.

The programme supports the UK water sector’s net-zero commitments and may help operators adjust aeration, air flow and process controls based on measured N₂O levels. Accurate monitoring is expected to provide the data needed to understand emission causes and test reduction measures.