2010/2011 worst year for business water disruptions

10/01/2012

Businesses across the country may have been faced with water supply disruptions during 2010/2011.

According to new figures, customers are almost six times more likely to have suffered water supply problems in 2010/2011 as the previous year.

Water UK reported that 700,255 properties experienced unplanned interruptions in excess of six hours, up from 119,880 in 2009/2010.

The leading industry body has blamed harsh weather during the winter of 2010/2011 for problems with burst pipes and service interruptions.

Northern Ireland was the worst hit, figures reveal, with 60 per cent of customers affected, compared to three per cent for the second worst area.

Water UK claims that continued investment in the UK's aging infrastructure is vital to reduce the risk of further disruptions and failures.

However, businesses are being warned not to despair as indicators for water industry sustainability show that good progress has been made in a number of areas, including limiting leakage and introducing renewable energy technology.

The amount of renewable energy generated by water companies has increased from less than 700 gWh in 2009/2010 to 877 gWh in 2010/2011.

This is the result of significant investment by water companies in Combined Heat and Power, generating biogas, hydro power, solar, wind and imported renewable energy.

Overall, ten per cent of all the energy used by the industry now comes from its own renewable sources.

According to Water UK, companies are building resilience and sustainability into their businesses and are working with the environment to find solutions that improve water quality and delivery.

However, the report comes amidst continued drought order controversy, particularly involving South East Water, which now faces an Environment Agency investigation after it mis-measured water volumes in its Ardingly reservoir.

The company was given a drought order after misrepresenting water levels, due to an oversight during the measuring process.

Posted by Nicola Richards