Leakage

Water companies urge public to limit usage

The trade body for the water industry has urged householders to be mindful of their usage at peak times as demand reached its highest ever point amid the continued lockdown and sunny weather. According to data from Water UK, people are currently using an average of 20 per cent more water, with some areas seeing up to a 40 per cent increase.

Water firms see demand rise by up to a third during lockdown

The driest May for more than a century coupled with the lockdown has seen a dramatic spike in water usage, with one company reporting a 33 per cent increase on an average month and another comparing the effect to serving an extra 400,000 customers.

Bristol Water updates social contract

Pennon shareholders give green light to Viridor sale

Pennon shareholders approve the sale of waste management business Viridor to US private equity firm as the company focuses on opportunities in the water and wastewater sector.

Covid will make PCC targets ‘exceptionally hard’

SES Water talks Utility Week through data on water use during lockdown, with traditional spikes flattening at home and demand collapsing in the non-domestic market. The Surrey-based company has also seen clear differences in usage between different socio-economic groups. Water strategy manager Alison Murphy explains what this all means for consumption targets.

UU teams up with AI-tech firm to listen for leaks

United Utilities claims to have amassed the largest collection of leakage data in the world after partnering with a tech firm to tackle the issue using acoustic sensors and artificial intelligence.

UU pledges to prioritise safety and support ‘over any short-term impact’

As well as reflecting on the company’s performance in the past financial year, and price control period, United Utilities chief executive Steve Mogford has addressed the impact of Covid-19, saying the safety of staff and support for customers will be the unequivocal focus regardless of the hit to finances and targets. The company also revealed £51 million of losses on its Water Plus retail joint venture.

Northumbrian and Waterwise innovate through Covid-19

As social distancing changes the way we all live and work, two significant events in the water calendar have been announced to go ahead but online. Waterwise's Conference and Northumbrian's Innovation Festival will take place in July and September respectively.

Water Plus losses mount for SVT

Yorkshire maintains leak logging at a distance

Waterwise says cuts to efficiency programmes are ‘false economy’

UU: Customer service is an emotional interaction not a process

United Utilities' customer base includes some of the most deprived parts of the country and these people are now facing ever increasing hardships because of the pandemic. Customer services and people director Louise Beardmore tells Utility Week how empowering staff to help wherever possible has earned the company praise from those it serves.

How Tideway got back to work

Thames Tideway programme director Andy Alder talks Utility Week through the measures being put in place to protect the health and safety of those returning to work on the super sewer, including a traffic light system for different working areas and tailored travel plans for staff commutes.

Thames to bring some AMP7 projects in-house

Keeping Us Connected: Thames takes lead from generous staff