Hosepipe Ban
Climate change means that we will all have to value water more as we find a fairer way of paying for it, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, said today as he launched the Government’s water strategy for England, Future Water.
Ofwat today set out in greater detail its reasons for proposing in September 2007 to fine Thames Water a total of £12.5 million.
The economic regulator has issued a ‘variation notice’ as an open, robust and transparent response to initial consultation which followed its original proposal to fine the company.
The Consumer Council for Water is calling for customers to create a splash in 2008 by making a positive impact on the planet and saving money, with a New Year’s resolution to save water.
Forget expensive gym memberships, long hours on the treadmill and the 10 pounds that just won’t budge. Those still searching for an easy resolution one can actually accomplish need look no further. Make a real impact, and possibly save some cash with these easy water saving tips.
Ofwat has amended South East Water’s Conditions of Appointment to allow it to replace Mid Kent Water as the water service provider for nearly 250,000 customers in the Kent area.
This will give effect to the merger of South East Water and Mid Kent Water, which was cleared by the Competition Commission in May, and ensure that customers’ interests continue to be protected.
So at last we have an updating of the hosepipe ban laws that were first written in 1945. Perhaps a forward-thinking government would have had them in place in the spring of 2006 (or even 2004) when we really needed them rather than the Autumn of 2007 when they will only mean anything in the Spring of 2008? Environment Minister Phil Woolas is triumphant when he says “we have committed to bring in legislation which is bang up to date” – shame it’s effectively at least 2 years late Phil, but never mind.
The government has confirmed that the current hosepipe ban rules created in 1945 are to be updated. This is the full statement issued by the Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) this morning:
A 62 year old law governing the use of hosepipes in times of drought will be updated following a Government consultation, Environment Minister Phil Woolas confirmed today.
Publishing the consultation response, Mr Woolas said:
“After the appalling floods of 2007 it might be hard to cast your mind back to the real difficulties we faced only a year ago, when 13 million people were affected by hosepipe bans.
Customers can be assured that their water supplies are secure, according to Ofwat’s ‘Security of Supply 2006-07′ report published today.
The report looks at how well companies have managed to balance their supply of water against the demand by their customers in a way that ensures they meet their customers’ needs for a safe, secure and continuous water supply now and in the future.
Ofwat has appointed a new water and sewerage company – the first new company to offer both services since privatisation – by granting its twelfth inset appointment.
Inset appointments allow for one supplier to be replaced by another for a specific geographical area.
Ofwat today published its proposals to fine Thames Water a total of £12.5 million.
The economic regulator plans to fine the company £11.1million (0.8% of 2006-07 turnover) for failing to provide it with robust information and £1.4million (0.1% of 2005-6 turnover) because poor processes and systems meant that customers received poor service. They also missed out on payments they were entitled to.
Water companies are continuing to invest to deliver environmental and water quality improvement, according to a report published by Ofwat today.
The Financial performance and expenditure of the water companies in England and Wales 2006-07 report provides a comparison between the industry’s actual performance over the last financial year and Ofwat’s expectations of when the price limits were set in 2004.
Water companies in England and Wales still have much work ahead of them – despite improving performance and pumping over £4.3 billion into maintaining existing assets and investing in new facilities in 2006-2007, according to Ofwat.
The water regulator has examined annual returns from the 22 water companies and found that investment was up nearly a quarter on the previous year. So far, after two years of the current five year price review, investment remains below the levels anticipated, mainly in respect of improvement schemes. But the majority of companies are investing what is needed in most areas to maintain the standard of service expected by customers.
Water companies in England and Wales reduced the amount of water lost to leakage by nearly 160 million litres of water (Ml/d) a day. This is equal to the daily needs of around one million domestic consumers.
Figures released by Ofwat today reveal that for 2006-07 overall leakage fell:
* from 3,575 Ml/d in 2005-06 to 3,420 Ml/d;
* and by 65 million litres a day more than the industry target of 3,485 Ml/d.
The Consumer Council for Water Thames is encouraged to learn that Thames Water has achieved its leakage target this year as a result of accelerating its pipe replacement work. The water company today also announced profits of £270 million, – a decrease of 22% on last year’s figures.
Responding to today’s announcement by Thames Water that it has exceeded its leakage reduction target for 2006-07, Ofwat said:
“This result, following on from Ofwat’s enforcement action against Thames Water last year, is good news for water consumers. It contributes to reducing the risk of future water supply problems in the capital and shows that Ofwat’s consumer-focused approach is working.”