South West Water Reduces Leakage by 10 Million Litres a Day

South West Water says it has cut water leakage across the region by more than 10 million litres a day thanks to new technology and the work of its teams.

Over the past 12 months, the company has increased the number of leaks detected by 93%, driven by the use of enhanced digital tools.

Technology and Unusual Techniques

To track down leaks, South West Water has invested in highly sensitive equipment that can detect noise from leaks hundreds of metres away. Other methods include the use of dogs trained to sniff out chlorine in drinking water, satellite imagery, and drones for spotting signs of leakage in harder to reach areas.

Last year, the company repaired over 16,100 leaks, averaging 44 repairs per day. Since 2020, leakage has been reduced by more than 20%, with plans in place to halve it by 2050.

Tackling Leaks at Home

Around 30% of water loss in the region comes from pipework that belongs to customers. South West Water says it is helping households find leaks and providing support with repairs.

As part of its focus on leak awareness, the company is encouraging customers to check their supply for problems and offering guidance on how to recognise and address them.

Once a leak is located, South West Water will offer a contribution towards the cost of repair or replacement. Last year, over £300,000 was given to customers. Households can also claim for a leak allowance so that lost water does not affect their bill.

Warm Weather Impact

Karl Little, South West Water’s Water Loss and Control Delivery Manager, said:
“We’ve seen the warmest summer on record this year and when combined with long periods of dry weather this puts a lot of pressure on our water resources, making the need to tackle leaks more important than ever.

“Thanks to a range of innovative technologies and techniques, we are now finding record numbers of leaks which means our brilliant teams can focus on making repairs and saving as much water as possible when it is needed most.

“We also know that around 1 in 3 leaks in our region are on customer supplies and we’re here to help. I would encourage anyone who thinks they may have a leak at home to visit our website and see the support we can offer.”

Where to Get Help

For more information on how to report a leak, and how to check for leaks at home, visit South West Water’s website