Efforts to restore wildlife habitats on the River Washburn have got underway. Yorkshire Water's trial works to improve the quality of the river environment downstream of Swinsty reservoir, which has been a source of drinking water for Leeds since 1878, is now well underway. The historic diversion of water to support the needs of local communities has resulted in the River Washburn receiving unnaturally low flows, which has led to low fish populations and lack of species diversity.