BRADFORD-based Yorkshire Water has played host to two visiting water supply workers from Ethiopia.

Zelalem Assefra from Debre Tabor Water Utility and Manaye Siyoum from the charity WaterAid have been finding out how Yorkshire Water supplies quality drinking and treats waste water.

Leakage, water quality and health and safety were among the areas studied by the pair. Other aspects of the business they learned about included catchment management and customer service.

“We're sharing skills and knowledge with our colleagues from Ethiopia so they can apply this back home,” said a Yorkshire Water spokesman.

Nearly half the population in Ethiopia - 42 million people - don’t have access to safe water. Most people in the country make a living through farming but without water they can’t grow the crops they need to feed and support their families.

WaterAid is an international organisation whose mission is to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

The spokesman added: “Manaye and Zelalem have travelled across Yorkshire visiting clean and waste water treatment works, looking at small community treatment facilities, water boreholes and pumping stations while noting down information and processes that they can apply to operations back home in Ethiopia.”

Manaye and Zelalem also had the chance to mix business with pleasure. “They enjoyed sight-seeing,” added the spokesman. “In Scarborough they experienced the beach, fish and chips and seaside rock for the very first time.”

The visit is part of Yorkshire Water’s unique ‘Big Wish for Ethiopia’ campaign that brings together all its fundraising, volunteering, customer awareness and skill sharing activities for WaterAid. It is hoped that the campaign will help to raise £1m and bring clean water to 130,000 people in Ethiopia over the next five years.

Summing up his experience Manaye said; "The visit to Yorkshire Water was wonderful. Everyone we met was friendly and hospitable, they were open to sharing their knowledge and committed to working with WaterAid to making a lasting difference to the people of Ethiopia. We have learned so much and will be looking at how we can develop this learning for utilities in Ethiopia.”