Water firms missing leakage reduction targets

Two English water companies have missed targets to reduce leakage, industry watchdog Ofwat has warned.

United Utilities Water, in the north west of England, reported increased leakage and missed its target by 30 megalitres per day (Ml/d), for the third year running. Thames Waters also missed its leakage target by 10Ml/d, although the company managed to reduce total leakage for the first time in four years by 30 Ml/d – over 3% of its total leakage.

Ofwat said that leakage was still “unacceptably high” in London, with 915 megalitres per day being lost. The watchdog has now set Thames Water a target of reducing this to a cost effective level of 725 Ml/d by 2009-10.

Thames Water is already carrying out 60% more repairs than two years and has also started work on a major upgrade of the water distribution network in London. The upgrade will involve replacing more than 1,200 km of water mains over the next five years at an estimated cost of nearly £500 million.

Ofwat said that it had also approved an action plan put forward by United Utilities, which is expected to reduce leakage in line with the regulator’s targets.

The regulator now has the power to fine any companies who do not meet their leakage targets.

Overall, Ofwat found that total leakage in the water industry fell by 41 Ml/d to 3,609 and said that the amount of water saved is enough to supply more than 100,000 households. The regulator also said that almost all water companies were meeting their leakage targets.

Commenting on the new figures, Philip Fletcher, Director General of Water Services, said that Ofwat would be closely monitoring both Thames Water and United Utilities to ensure they improved and met their leakage targets.

Mr Fletcher said: “The current water restrictions in the south east, resulting from the exceptionally dry weather, have brought leakage into sharper focus. Although the water restrictions are not caused by high leakage – leakage for most of the companies affected so far is among the lowest in the country – every litre saved, whether by reducing leakage or by customers using water wisely will help to prevent the situation worsening.”

Industry body Water UK said that there was a limit to what could be achieved by finding and fixing leaks and that a comprehensive programme of mains repair or renewal was need.

Water UK said that the industry was beginning a widescale programme of wholesale mains replacement that would bring a further reduction of £300 million litres per day – enough for the daily needs of 2 million people by 2010.

(KMcA/GB)