17 November 2006
The water regulator Ofwat has issued a warning to water companies that they should expect a dry winter and make the necessary preparations to ensure that this does not impact on water provisions next summer.
Earlier this year, many consumers were angered by the water restrictions that were put in place to combat the possibility of a nationwide drought, particularly when some of the companies like Thames Water and Severn Trent failed to meet their leakage reduction targets.
Ofwat has since confirmed that the majority of the 22 water providers in the UK had met the targets, which led to a 30Ml/d (megalitres per day) reduction last year.
In the recent Security of Supply report, Ofwat praised consumers, saying that "the restraints shown by their customers have limited the effects of the drought. This has helped to avoid the need for more severe restrictions over the summer".
The report also recognised that customers wanted confidence in the sector's approach to leakage and explained that it had started a review of the way in which it sets targets in order to take more account of environmental and social costs. It is hoped the findings will be presented in early Spring 2007.
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