A new report by the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has highlighted plugging rising leakage levels and reducing the number of sewer flooding incidents as pressing priorities for the water industry.

CCWater’s ‘Delving into water’ reveals that 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.

However, 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.”

The report 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.

Commenting on the report, Water UK, the body which represents the UK water companies at national and international level, said:

"Water companies have listened to their customers and put in place plans for the next five years that ensure bills remain affordable while continuing to invest billions each year to deliver the service improvements their customers want."

 "The companies will be investing heavily in tackling leakage and preventing sewer flooding and have set themselves very tough targets to improve their performance. In the next five years companies have to achieve 33% fewer properties flooded from wastewater by sewers. They will also have to save 370 million litres of water a day by tackling leakage and promoting efficiency."

"The investment in these measures alongside many other service improvements will be delivered while keeping bills flat or falling in real terms.The report highlights the ever growing amount of support that companies provide for customers facing cost of living pressures and struggling to pay their bills. It also confirms complaints against water companies continue to fall which demonstrates the industry's commitment to improving their services.”

Click here to access the report online.