South West Water warned over leaks as drought threatens supplies
Regulators say South West Water’s leak rate is 18.5% above forecast, endangering water supplies as severe drought grips the southwest.
At a glance
- South West Water’s leak rate is 18.5% above forecast and 5.7 million litres higher than last year, risking supplies.
- Regulators have warned South West Water for seven years it is missing leakage targets, and the firm must submit an action plan within six weeks.
- Severe drought affects about 325,000 people in Exeter and mid‑east Devon, prompting usage warnings and possible supply cuts.
**South West Water faces a fresh warning from regulators over its leaking infrastructure, putting customer supplies at risk as drought conditions tighten across the region.** The agency overseeing the privatised firm, which serves 1.8 million people, says the company has missed its leakage targets for seven consecutive years. In a letter dated 26 October, Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs highlighted that leakage is now 18.5 % higher than forecast and has risen compared with the previous year.
Regulators warn of leak risk South West Water loses 113.5 million litres daily – equivalent to roughly 45 Olympic swimming pools – a figure that is 5.7 million litres higher than last year. The joint letter stresses that the escalating loss places customers’ security of supply in greater danger, especially as the region endures its driest April‑to‑September period in over a century. The regulators have given the company six weeks to submit an action plan to address the problem.
Drought conditions worsen About 82 % of England remains in drought, with severe drought declared in parts of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. The Met Office says the country needs 120 % of typical rainfall over seven months to emerge from the dry spell. Reservoir levels are critically low; storage at Wimbleball, a key source for South West Water customers, stands at just 16 %. Smaller reservoirs serving Devon and Cornwall also face similar concerns.
Local impact and response The prolonged dry weather threatens roughly 325,000 residents and thousands of businesses in Exeter and mid‑east Devon. Authorities warn that regular supply interruptions could lead to school closures and economic setbacks. South West Water has written to households in the affected zones urging reduced consumption, though it has not acknowledged that its own leakage contributes to the risk.
Next steps for the company The regulator’s letter also notes that the firm’s poor performance is eroding confidence in its ability to avoid emergency water abstraction from rivers, which would cause environmental damage. The company’s drought programme director said recent rain is helping resources but pressure remains high. He added that the firm is actively repairing leaks, re‑routing water and taking practical steps to protect supplies.
Source: The Guardian Business.
Questions and answers
- How much water is South West Water losing daily due to leaks?
- The company loses 113.5 million litres a day – about 45 Olympic pools – which is 5.7 million litres more than last year and 18.5% above forecast.
- How long have regulators been warning South West Water about its leak performance?
- Regulators have been warning the firm for seven years that it is missing leakage targets.
- What impact does the drought have on people and businesses in the affected areas?
- Severe drought affects about 325,000 people in Exeter and mid‑east Devon, risking supply cuts, school closures and economic losses.
Original reporting: The Guardian Business (theguardian.com)
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