Fix the leaks

An average of 3 billion litres of water is wasted every day in England and Wales (between 2020/21-2022/23) due to leaky pipes, House of Commons Library research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

This is the equivalent of 1,200 Olympic sized swimming pools of water being lost every day due to leakages.

The Liberal Democrats have calculated these water leaks are costing customers in England and Wales approximately £396 million per year. The party is urging the government to abolish Ofwat and replace it with a new regulator to hold water companies accountable for the maintenance of water infrastructure.

Water companies are required by the regulator, Ofwat, to measure the amount of water lost through their network over a consecutive three year period.

This is expected to increase prices by £15 per customer every year  according to House of Commons Library estimates - this equates to a shocking £396 million combined bill for customers in England and Wales. This follows Ofwat’s water bill hike last year which will mean customers face an average £31 rise every year, for half a decade.

Commenting on the leaks, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Sussex Alison Bennett said:
“Water companies like South East Water have had years to fix leaks and invest in long-term infrastructure, but they’ve repeatedly failed to deliver. It’s time for real accountability, and that means stronger regulation to make sure our water supply is secure for the future.”

“Households in Mid Sussex are being told to do their bit with hosepipe bans while the company fails to do theirs, and at the same time our bills keep going up.”