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Six water companies 'fail to hit leakage targets' Six water companies 'fail to hit leakage targets'
(40 minutes later)
Nearly a quarter of all water companies in England and Wales failed to do enough to tackle leaks last year, the industry regulator Ofwat has said. More than a quarter of all water companies in England and Wales failed to do enough to tackle leaks last year, the industry regulator Ofwat has said.
Its annual report said while companies continued to deliver safe, reliable supplies, six out of 21 companies did not meet their leakage targets.Its annual report said while companies continued to deliver safe, reliable supplies, six out of 21 companies did not meet their leakage targets.
The worst offender was Yorkshire Water which lost on average 295 million litres a day last year, Ofwat said. The worst offender was Yorkshire Water which lost on average 295 million litres a day from 2009-10, Ofwat said.
This was 20 million litres more than the level set by the regulator. This is equivalent to more than 120 Olympic swimming pools of water a day.
This is the first time so many water companies have failed to hit their annual leakage targets. Last year, all companies met their annual leakage targets. This is the first time so many have failed to hit them.
But it is thought last year's harsh winter, which saw a surge in the number of burst pipes being reported, may have played a part.But it is thought last year's harsh winter, which saw a surge in the number of burst pipes being reported, may have played a part.
Regina Finn, chief executive of Ofwat, said failing companies would be forced to improve.
"These companies are on watch, they know that we'll take tough action. We have in the past - we've made companies invest their own money in fixing these leaks. We expect these companies to restore their service," she said.
The report also showed complaints had fallen to their lowest levels for four years and drinking water quality was still among the best in Europe.
It also found all companies achieved their targets to make sure supplies met the demand from customers.