Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said Shaw should have stepped down "much earlier".

"Good riddance. Nicola Shaw oversaw abysmal management of our precious natural resources, trashing our rivers while receiving an eye-watering salary," he said.

"Her replacement needs to understand that residents are at their wits' end, paying ever-rising bills for polluted rivers and threats of hosepipe bans while someone at the top rakes in millions."

Meanwhile, Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, said Yorkshire Water needed "more than a change of leadership" but a "complete change of direction".

"A new face at the top cannot wash away years of Yorkshire Water failing to put customers first," she said.

"Nicola Shaw's time as Yorkshire Water boss saw customers frustrated by poor service, skyrocketing bills, record pollution incidents, and a plummet from 'good' to the worst possible one-star environment rating.

"There must be a wholesale shift in culture that finally prioritises customers. Only then can the company begin to restore public trust."

Robbie Moore, Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said Shaw's resignation "could not have come quick enough".

He added: "I have therefore already requested an urgent meeting with the new CEO Designate Nicola Medalova to understand how she plans to improve Yorkshire Water's performance at speed.

"The status quo cannot continue."

Additional reporting by David Rhodes and Grace Wood

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