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Six water companies 'fail to hit leakage targets' | Six water companies 'fail to hit leakage targets' |
(40 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. |
href="http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulating/reporting/rpt_los_2009-10.pdf" title="Ofwat report on the performance of the water companies in England and Wales 2009-10" >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 from 2009-10, Ofwat said. | The worst offender was Yorkshire Water which lost on average 295 million litres a day from 2009-10, Ofwat said. |
This is equivalent to more than 120 Olympic swimming pools of water a day. | This is equivalent to more than 120 Olympic swimming pools of water a day. |
Last year, all companies met their annual leakage targets. This is the first time so many have failed to hit them. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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. | It also found all companies achieved their targets to make sure supplies met the demand from customers. |