24 July 2006
The amount of leakage by water companies in England and Wales fell by approximately 20 million litres per day this year, according to new figures.
Ofwat revealed that leakage in 2005-06 was around 3,600 Ml/d. This was significantly lower than the 5,000 Ml/d a decade previously.
In what Ofwat felt was a good year for the water companies in terms of minimising water leakage, most of the companies either met the targets set for them for this year, or outperformed it.
Folkestone and Dover Water did the best, beating its target by 5%.
On the other end of the scale, however, Thames Water and Severn Trent Water did not meet the targets set by the water regulator.
"We have already taken action against Thames Water for its poor leakage performance. Severn Trent is on notice that we will consider using our formal enforcement powers in the event of any further failure," said Philip Fletcher, chairman of Ofwat.
"During a drought we expect companies to give a clear lead to consumers on the importance of conserving water. Companies have told us informally that they have made further leakage reductions since the end of March.
He added that this should "follow through" to significant improvements in the coming 12 months in the companies affected by the drought.
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