Water restrictions are set to be lifted for residents and businesses across Yorkshire earlier than expected after the wettest period of weather for more than a year.

It was only a fortnight ago that Yorkshire Water warned there would be no easing of drought restrictions despite the recovery of water levels in the region's reservoirs, in the Nidderdale area, in particular.

But the storms, gales and downpours of the last week have shifted the dial and the water giant now says they are planning to to lift hosepipe restrictions earlier than initially thought.

Dave Kaye, director of water and wastewater services at Yorkshire Water, said: “We’re now confident that we’re moving into a healthy position across our reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater water sources, after seeing further rainfall over the last seven days, and another significant jump in our reservoir levels.

As a result of continuous heavy rainfall over the last seven days, reservoir levels are recovering well in Yorkshire at 84.6%. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — As a result of continuous heavy rainfall over the last seven days, reservoir levels are recovering well in Yorkshire at 84.6%. (Picture contributed)

“Restrictions are still in place for the time being, but we are working to lift them as soon as possible, hopefully within the next few weeks.

"This is earlier than we had originally thought possible, and it’s thanks to the water-saving actions of people in Yorkshire that we’re able to pull it forward."

As a result of continuous heavy rainfall over the last seven days, reservoir levels are recovering well in Yorkshire at 84.6%, up from 80.5% last week, and Hull aquifer levels are 49.4% - up from 46.6%.

The reservoir level increase follows a record-breaking increase of 15% as a result of Storm Claudia’s rainfall impact and the ongoing drought permit activity the company has put in place.

As recently as September, Yorkshire’s reservoir levels sat at just 30.6%.

Yorkshire Water is now moving towards a return to normality for its customers.

“We’re working with the Environment Agency to reduce the measures we’d put in place to manage our water resources differently during the drought, a step we have to take before restrictions can be lifted,” said Mr Kaye.

"This can take a number of weeks but we will not keep the restrictions any longer than is necessary.

“We will continue to monitor our resources and manage them carefully."