Oldham MP - United Utilities must do more to fix leaks

The much-publicised hosepipe ban is set to kick in across the North-West on August 5, affecting seven million residents.

It was a decision made following the longest heatwave since 1976.

However, along with other Greater Manchester MPs, Oldham West and Royton's Jim McMahon has joined calls for United Utilities to do much more to fix leaks to save water.

The company made £300m profit after tax last year, but still continues to fall short on repairing leaks across its service.

According to the Consumer Council for Water, UU consistently loses around 138 litres per property per day on average, that's similar to around ten minutess of hosepipe use (estimate, 150litres).

Mr McMahon said: “Most of the time the public won’t notice, but when restrictions are being placed on seven million water users they will be asking questions.

“UU will say they have reduced leaks since the 90’s and investment has gone in, but it’s clear more must be done.

"Let’s hope they do more to prevent leaks and repair them when they do occur.

“In the meantime, get the watering can ready for the garden!”

The hosepipe ban will apply to domestic customers who get their water supply from United Utilities, with the exception of customers in Carlisle and the north Eden Valley, where supplies remain at reasonable levels.

Martin Padley, United Utilities Water Services Director, said: "Despite some recent rainfall, reservoir levels are still lower than we would expect at this time of year and, with forecasters predicting a return to hot dry weather for the rest of July, we are now at a point where we will need to impose some temporary restrictions on customers.

"It is not a decision we have taken lightly and we are enormously grateful to customers for having helped reduce the demand on our network over the last couple of weeks, but unless we get a period of sustained rainfall before August 5 these restrictions will help us safeguard essential water supplies for longer."

Whilst the ban restricts the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars, customers will still be able to water their gardens with a watering can and wash their vehicles using a bucket and sponge.

These methods typically use a fraction of the amount of water a hosepipe or sprinkler uses.

The move by United Utilities is alongside the company’s continuing efforts to maintain essential supplies, such as maximising water abstraction from ground water supplies, moving water around its regional integrated network of pipes and running an extensive campaign to encourage customers to use water wisely.

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