Wessex Water must tackle leaks - Brooke

9.54.02am GMT Fri 19th Jan 2007

Water companies need to work with customers to reduce water wastage

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has said that Wessex Water must act now to deal with the large amounts of water being wasted through leaks.

Annette Brooke, member of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, was commenting as figures released today in a National Audit Office (NAO) report show how much water is being wasted by water companies around the country.

Annette Brooke said:

"Although Wessex Water has managed to decrease the amount of water wasted through leaks since 2003/4, we are still wasting 73 mega litres of water every single day.

"It is ridiculous that restrictions are being placed on the general public whilst water companies continue to allow huge quantities to drain away due to the disrepair of the system.

"It is crucial that Wessex Water invests in dealing with the leaks in this area, for the sake of their customers and the environment.

"We all need to watch our water wastage - and that includes water companies."

Figures from Ofwat (the Water Services Regulation Authority) show that although the average consumption of a Wessex Water customer reflects the nation as a whole, Wessex Water customers pay above average for their water bills.

The NAO report released today shows that 62% of people in water-stressed areas would be more likely to save water if water companies were to do the same.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

HC 150      2006-2007

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General

Ofwat - Meeting the demand for water

As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, Annette Brooke helps scrutinise the reports of the National Audit Office and question the Government on its spending across a wide range of areas.

1.      The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is the economic regulator of the water companies in England and Wales and sets limits on the changes each company can make to its charges for an agreed level of service. Its duties include securing that companies can finance and fulfill their functions as specified in the Water Industry Act 1991. One of the functions specified in the Act is that companies maintain and develop the security of water supplies. The Water Services Regulation Authority came into being on 1 April 2006. It took over its powers from the Director General of Water Services. The Director General was supported by the Office of Water Services, known publicly as Ofwat. The Authority has decided to retain the public name Ofwat.

2.      There are 22 principal water companies in England and Wales responsible for meeting all reasonable demands by domestic consumers for water, while ensuring that they do not damage the environment by taking too much water in the short term.

3.      The Using Water Wisely research was carried out by the consumer body CC Water with sponsorship from the NAO, Ofwat and Defra.

4.      NAO press notices and reports are available from the date of publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk.  Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474.

5.      The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the head of the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff.  He and the NAO are totally independent of Government.  He certifies the accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other bodies have used their resources.