2 October 2007
Ofwat has announced it is to lead a review into the extensive flooding experienced by many households across the UK this summer.
The water watchdog will look into how water and sewerage companies performed in their management of the flooding in June and July, which damaged thousands of homes nationwide.
Working alongside water suppliers and technical auditors it will also analyse how future flooding can be controlled, as well as taking account of recent studies into households' views on the inundations by consumer body CCWater.
Ofwat will focus on three main areas, including how sewerage companies managed the extent of flooding, how companies limited adverse impacts on consumers or the environment, as well as looking into how companies' aim to identify lessons to avoid flooding in the future.
The regulator aims to publish a report later this year on its findings and has promised to take regulatory action "where appropriate".
Figures from the Environment Agency estimate around five million people in two million properties live in flood risk areas in England and Wales.
According to the Association of British Insurers the total insured cost of the summer flooding in the UK stands at £1.5 billion for June, and £1 billion for July.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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