This followed a call from Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, for water companies to subsidise repairs.
A Southern Water spokesperson said the company was not intending to directly subsidise repair jobs but would offer customers access to discounts from plumbing firms. It is still working on the details.
Norman said water companies should look at all possible ways to cut waste, including fixing leaking taps.
“I am therefore very pleased with the way that Southern Water has embraced this idea and it shows a real commitment by them to reduce leaks, support local small businesses and provide support to their customers,” he added.
Those commenting on the website of regional newspaper the Argus were less impressed, questioning whether there were any real savings to be had.
One post under the name panda_electrical read: “While a discount on a fixed price is obviously worthwhile a “discount” on unpublished and variable labour and parts rates is worthless.”
Southern Water is in the process of rolling out meters with leak alarms to the majority of homes by 2015. The firm claims to have installed more than 150,000 out of a planned 500,000. It expects the alarms to help save five million litres of water a day by picking up on leaks early.
Baker also wrote to South East Water, which said it already had initiatives in place to help customers with leaks on their property.
A spokesperson said: “We are currently installing 1000 meters a week across the region and every customer is offered advice and a free water efficiency pack as a part of that service.”
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