PLUGGING rising leakage levels and reducing the number of sewer flooding incidents have emerged as pressing priorities for the water industry, in a new report by the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater).

CCWater’s ‘Delving into water’ today (January 22) reveals the water industry has made progress over the past four years in improving their performance on the majority of issues that really matter to customers.

But it also highlights areas of concern with water lost through leakage having steadily risen since 2011, and the overall number of sewer flooding incidents still higher than levels reported in 2010-11.

Improvements in these and other areas will be driven over the next five years by water companies’ delivering on their promise to prioritise the services that matter most to their customers – a commitment which characterised the recent price review.

Tony Smith, Chief Executive of CCWater, said:

Our pressure has helped to drive many improvements for consumers, but the report confirms there is still much more to be done. That’s why we are pleased water companies have committed to improving the services that matter most to their customers. Now they need to deliver – and we’ll be watching closely to ensure they do.

Delving into water examines water companies’ performance across a number of key areas during the past four years, including dealing with complaints; customer assistance schemes; sewer flooding; leaks; metering; drinking water quality and water supply interruptions.

Read the full report (pdf)