Letter: Leaks could be worse

Sir: Imagine a pipe long enough to stretch around the world one- and-a-half times. Imagine this same pipe contains 10 million separate joints and is buried deep below ground. Now imagine the pipe springs a leak. That's the problem facing the country's 18 water supply companies ("Six firms losing war on leakage", 17 July).

Ian Byatt, the director-general of the Office for Water Services, suggests that the smaller water companies may be being complacent in tackling leaks in their pipe network. I would suggest that real complacency by the companies would mean leakage levels dramatically higher than we are seeing today.

PAMELA TAYLOR

Chief Executive

Water Companies Association

London SW1