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Industry regulator relaxes the targets for Yorkshire Water despite drought (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Industry regulator relaxes the targets for Yorkshire Water despite drought
6:50am Wednesday 9th May 2012 in Bradford
By James Rush, T&A Reporter
Bosses at Yorkshire Water have said they will continue to reduce leakage on its network despite regulators relaxing its targets for the next three years.
Ofwat has said eight out of 21 water companies – including Yorkshire Water – have been set zero reduction of leaks targets to 2014/15, despite drought being declared in parts of the county.
The Bradford-based business was required to spend an additional £39 million on leak repairs after failing to meets its 2010/11 targets – but says it expects to meet this year’s targets set by the regulator. Last June the Telegraph & Argus reported the company was to be investigated by Ofwat after failing to meet its leakage target for the second year running.
But Yorkshire Water spokesman Matt Thompson yesterday said: “Following the investment of an additional £39 million into reducing leakage on our 32,000km network over the last 12 months and a great deal of hard work, we’re pleased to say month-on-month, we’re consistently recording our lowest ever leakage levels in the company’s history.
“With this in mind, we’re confident that we’ll meet this year’s leakage targets set by industry regulator Ofwat.”
Mr Thompson said the company remained committed to reducing leakage, replacing hundreds of miles of ageing pipework with robust versions.
He said: “We’ve also increased the number of people out on the ground locating and repairing leaks, with telemetry in place across much of the network to inform us of any changes in pipe pressures which could indicate a burst or leak.
“And with the company investing a further £300 million across the region over the next 12 months, with a big part of this being invested in improving our water pipes, customers can rest assured we’re more committed than ever to doing everything we can to reducing leakage on our network.”
Ofwat said it was urging firms to “step up to the plate” to reduce their leakages but, it added, customers might face higher prices.
A spokesman said: “The current drought shows the importance of tackling leakage. Companies need to listen to – and respond – to their customers. We know leakage matters to customers, but they also tell us they don't want large rises in bills to reduce leakage. And fixing leaks can be costly.”
Comments(9)
justjustice
says...
12:15pm Wed 9 May 12
But yes, bills have gone up quite a bit, think we were paying £28 a month 10 years ago, and now we are paying £56!
I wish we could demand doubling pay every 10 years from our employers!
Prisoner Cell Block A
says...
1:04pm Wed 9 May 12
My issue is with the fact that ALL water companies are not duty and legally bound to reduce leakage from their pipework and facilities to zero. With that as a target they may reduce to 15% loss across the country, thus negating the need for an island nation to be laughingly declaring drought.
Either that or spend your profit on de-salination plants.
Albion.
says...
1:15pm Wed 9 May 12
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:I have had a water meter at two different properties and found them to be a great saving.
Our water rates are very reasonable, no complaints there, this is a family of four on a meter.
My issue is with the fact that ALL water companies are not duty and legally bound to reduce leakage from their pipework and facilities to zero. With that as a target they may reduce to 15% loss across the country, thus negating the need for an island nation to be laughingly declaring drought.
Either that or spend your profit on de-salination plants.
a reasonable sort of chap
says...
3:05pm Wed 9 May 12
Prisoner Cell Block A
says...
3:32pm Wed 9 May 12
Albion. wrote:Think we are paying about £26 p/m at present. As I said, for a family of four I think that is good value considering there is the drainage charge attached to this too.
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:I have had a water meter at two different properties and found them to be a great saving.
Our water rates are very reasonable, no complaints there, this is a family of four on a meter.
My issue is with the fact that ALL water companies are not duty and legally bound to reduce leakage from their pipework and facilities to zero. With that as a target they may reduce to 15% loss across the country, thus negating the need for an island nation to be laughingly declaring drought.
Either that or spend your profit on de-salination plants.
I just don't like to hear of the great dividends paid out to shareholders, bearing in mind the majority of the infrastructure of all the water cos was built on nationalised water rates paid for by the British public. They now reap the profit from this and are reluctant to spend to update, upgrade and modernise what is still a Victorian system in many places and with much lead piping still in situ. Also the porosity of this lead does mean that there is an element(heheh no pun intended) of PB which infiltrates our drinking supply as this is after the filtration process.
My father is an ex-plumber and I have done a fair few years on the tools myself, I know the above facts re lead to be true, the amount of pipework from external stop-tap to internal pipeworkis phenomenal and there is even more between mains and external stop taps.
a reasonable sort of chap
says...
11:40pm Wed 9 May 12
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:£26 per month? I am paying £23 per month and that's just for myself.
Albion. wrote:Think we are paying about £26 p/m at present. As I said, for a family of four I think that is good value considering there is the drainage charge attached to this too.
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:I have had a water meter at two different properties and found them to be a great saving.
Our water rates are very reasonable, no complaints there, this is a family of four on a meter.
My issue is with the fact that ALL water companies are not duty and legally bound to reduce leakage from their pipework and facilities to zero. With that as a target they may reduce to 15% loss across the country, thus negating the need for an island nation to be laughingly declaring drought.
Either that or spend your profit on de-salination plants.
I just don't like to hear of the great dividends paid out to shareholders, bearing in mind the majority of the infrastructure of all the water cos was built on nationalised water rates paid for by the British public. They now reap the profit from this and are reluctant to spend to update, upgrade and modernise what is still a Victorian system in many places and with much lead piping still in situ. Also the porosity of this lead does mean that there is an element(heheh no pun intended) of PB which infiltrates our drinking supply as this is after the filtration process.
My father is an ex-plumber and I have done a fair few years on the tools myself, I know the above facts re lead to be true, the amount of pipework from external stop-tap to internal pipeworkis phenomenal and there is even more between mains and external stop taps.
BD16
says...
7:53am Thu 10 May 12
a reasonable sort of chap wrote:You need a water meter.
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:£26 per month? I am paying £23 per month and that's just for myself.Albion. wrote:Think we are paying about £26 p/m at present. As I said, for a family of four I think that is good value considering there is the drainage charge attached to this too. I just don't like to hear of the great dividends paid out to shareholders, bearing in mind the majority of the infrastructure of all the water cos was built on nationalised water rates paid for by the British public. They now reap the profit from this and are reluctant to spend to update, upgrade and modernise what is still a Victorian system in many places and with much lead piping still in situ. Also the porosity of this lead does mean that there is an element(heheh no pun intended) of PB which infiltrates our drinking supply as this is after the filtration process. My father is an ex-plumber and I have done a fair few years on the tools myself, I know the above facts re lead to be true, the amount of pipework from external stop-tap to internal pipeworkis phenomenal and there is even more between mains and external stop taps.Prisoner Cell Block A wrote: Our water rates are very reasonable, no complaints there, this is a family of four on a meter. My issue is with the fact that ALL water companies are not duty and legally bound to reduce leakage from their pipework and facilities to zero. With that as a target they may reduce to 15% loss across the country, thus negating the need for an island nation to be laughingly declaring drought. Either that or spend your profit on de-salination plants.I have had a water meter at two different properties and found them to be a great saving.
Willard
says...
10:17am Thu 10 May 12
johnhem says...
11:16am Wed 9 May 12