Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and Defra have ordered South West Water to produce an official action plan within six weeks following seven consecutive years of missed leak repair and reduction targets. The utility is currently losing 113.5 million litres of water daily, exceeding its forecast by 18.5% just as prolonged dry conditions have depleted reservoirs such as Wimbleball to 16% capacity. This rising network leakage threatens supply cut-offs for roughly 325,000 residents and thousands of commercial sites in Exeter and wider Devon. Meanwhile, ministers are introducing eight regional councils to improve infrastructure coordination among local leaders, utilities, and businesses.
Key points
Severe drought and ongoing network leaks threaten supply cut-offs for approximately 325,0…: Severe drought and ongoing network leaks threaten supply cut-offs for approximately 325,000 residents as well as thousands of commercial businesses in Devon.
Regulators emphasized that seven years of missed leakage targets undermine supply securit…: Regulators emphasized that seven years of missed leakage targets undermine supply security and severely damage public trust while consumers face conservation demands.
The government is establishing eight regional water councils to coordinate infrastructure…: The government is establishing eight regional water councils to coordinate infrastructure investments between water companies, local authorities, and business leaders.
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Repeated failures by South West Water to tackle leaks are putting customers at higher risks of losing water supplies as parts of the region remain in severe drought, regulators have said.
In a warning to the privatised company that serves 1.8 million people across the south-west of England, the regulators said it had been failing to meet targets to reduce leaks and repair burst pipes for seven years.
“Leakage is 18.5% above forecast … and increased since the previous year. Given the ongoing drought conditions, these shortcomings are placing customers at a greater level of risk. This is not acceptable,” said Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a letter to the company.
The letter emerged as the National Drought Group prepared to meet on Thursday, with about 82% of England still in drought, and severe drought declared in parts of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. The Met Office has said 120% of typical rainfall is needed over seven months to bring the country fully out of drought.
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