This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-15458250
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Complaints about water companies fall, says Ofwat | Complaints about water companies fall, says Ofwat |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The number of complaints about water companies in England and Wales has fallen but the regulator says seven companies need to do more to maintain their infrastructure. | The number of complaints about water companies in England and Wales has fallen but the regulator says seven companies need to do more to maintain their infrastructure. |
href="http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulating/prs_web201110perf_summ" >Ofwat reported that complaints fell by 20% between April 2010 and April 2011 to 185,840. | |
However, the watchdog had concerns about leakage, maintenance and supply interruptions from some firms. | However, the watchdog had concerns about leakage, maintenance and supply interruptions from some firms. |
In June, it reported that six companies had missed leakage targets. | In June, it reported that six companies had missed leakage targets. |
"Companies will be paying out around £38m from their own pockets to fix these problems," said Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn. | "Companies will be paying out around £38m from their own pockets to fix these problems," said Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn. |
Ofwat says Southern Water will return £5m directly to customers and Yorkshire Water will invest £33m in improving its pipe network. | Ofwat says Southern Water will return £5m directly to customers and Yorkshire Water will invest £33m in improving its pipe network. |
Maintenance problems | Maintenance problems |
Each year the water regulator looks at the performance of the 21 water companies in England and Wales. | Each year the water regulator looks at the performance of the 21 water companies in England and Wales. |
Its review found a fall in the number of complaints, high water quality and a steep fall in the number of homes with internal sewer flooding. | Its review found a fall in the number of complaints, high water quality and a steep fall in the number of homes with internal sewer flooding. |
However, in June Ofwat reported that six firms - Anglian, Welsh Water, Northumbrian - north east operating area, Severn Trent, Southern and Yorkshire - had failed to meet targets on reducing leakage from their networks. | However, in June Ofwat reported that six firms - Anglian, Welsh Water, Northumbrian - north east operating area, Severn Trent, Southern and Yorkshire - had failed to meet targets on reducing leakage from their networks. |
The regulator has now found that seven companies - Anglian, United Utilities, Northumbrian, Severn Trent, Southern, Veolia Water Central and Yorkshire - are also not doing enough to maintain their underground infrastructure and so prevent leakages. | The regulator has now found that seven companies - Anglian, United Utilities, Northumbrian, Severn Trent, Southern, Veolia Water Central and Yorkshire - are also not doing enough to maintain their underground infrastructure and so prevent leakages. |
It also reported a high number of supply interruptions, especially in the Severn Trent area. | It also reported a high number of supply interruptions, especially in the Severn Trent area. |
But despite this customer satisfaction remained high. | But despite this customer satisfaction remained high. |
In its survey of 17,000 customers, Ofwat found that most gave their water supplier an average score of 4.2 out of 5. | In its survey of 17,000 customers, Ofwat found that most gave their water supplier an average score of 4.2 out of 5. |
Veolia Water East polled most strongly with an average score of 4.59 and United Utilities was the worst performer with a score of 3.79. | Veolia Water East polled most strongly with an average score of 4.59 and United Utilities was the worst performer with a score of 3.79. |
Previous version
1
Next version