1 August 2006
Leakage by water companies in England and Wales has fallen slightly, according to the latest figures from the industry regulator.
Ofwat said that leakage had fallen by around 20 million litres a day (Ml/d) in 2005-06.
The figure does represent a more significant leakage reduction over the long term, however, as overall leakage in England and Wales is now close to 3,600 Ml/d, compared to nearly 5,000 Ml/d a decade earlier.
Most of the 22 companies met or performed better than Ofwat's required targets.
Folkestone and Dover Water was commended for its performance, after it beat its target of 8.4 Ml/d by nearly 5%.
Conversely, four companies failed to hit their targets with Thames Water and Severn Trent Water named as the worst offenders.
United Utilities, which supplies north-west England, and Southern Water also failed to meet targets to a less serious degree.
"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," warned Ofwat's chairman Philip Fletcher.
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