Water firms pledge to plug pipe leaks

Water companies yesterday committed themselves to "major investment" over the next 10 years to reduce water pipe leaks after intense public criticism of supply management during this summer's heatwave.

Nicholas Wood, chairman of the Water Services Association, which represents all the 10 water companies, promised the industry would be giving a "higher priority to leakage management". The move follows a call by Labour's environment spokesman, Frank Dobson, for government action over leaking water pipes.