The water watchdog’s ‘Delving into water’ report highlights the volume of water lost through leakage has risen since 2011/12 and the overall number of sewer flooding incidents “remains an area of significant concern”.
In 2013/14, almost a quarter (22 per cent) of water put into the system was lost as a result of leakage. This is lower than the position volume lost four years ago but there has been a steady rise since then.
CCWater’s report also states that in 2010/11 and 2011/12, which are considered “dry years”, internal sewer flooding incidents reduced from 5,626 to 4,525. But in the “wet year” of 2012/13, a total of 8,659 properties were internally flooded.
In 2013/14, the number of properties that suffered internal sewer flooding fell back down to 4,959, but CCWater attributes this to concentrated rainfall which meant properties were flooded for longer periods.
Ofwat’s final determinations require the water companies to reduce the number of properties that are flooded by sewage by 33 per cent by 2020, with companies collectively facing a £353 million penalty if they do not deliver.
The report also reveals that the water companies have improved the customer service, with the number of complaints down by more than a third (43 per cent) over the last four years, from 185,140 to 123,218.
The amount of time customers are off supply as a result of interruptions has also fallen from 20 minutes in 2010/11, to 14 minutes in 2013/14.
By 2020 the water companies in England and Wales are required to reduce this by 32 per cent, meaning the average time customer are off supply will be less than 10 minutes.
CCWater chief executive Tony Smith said: “Our pressure has helped to drive many improvements for consumers, but the report confirms there is still much more to be done.
“That’s why we are pleased water companies have committed to improving the services that matter most to their customers. Now they need to deliver – and we’ll be watching closely to ensure they do.”