Essex and Suffolk Water launches interactive leakage map

Essex and Suffolk Water has unveiled a new online portal that allows customers to report leaks and track repairs.

The scheme has been launched as part of Essex and Suffolk Water’s mission to reduce water leakage across its network by 17.5 per cent by 2025.

The Leakage Portal is an interactive map showing reported leaks on the company’s network across Essex, Suffolk and parts of East London.

Customers can use the map to find if a leak has already been reported and check the progress of the repair. If it has not been reported, customers can submit their report online, which is passed directly to an advisor.

The portal features tools to help customers describe the type of leak and allows them to upload photos so the issue can be identified and prioritised for repairs. Once a leak has been reported it will be included on the interactive map, and updates will be provided via the portal until a repair has been completed.

Eliane Algaard, water director for Essex and Suffolk Water, said: “We are firmly committed to driving down leakage across our network and have set ourselves an ambitious target of reducing it by 17.5 per cent by 2025.

“To achieve this we are making a significant investment into finding and fixing leaks, and taking an innovative approach. We are putting more resources into hunting down leaks so we can get them repaired as quickly as possible, and our customers can really help us by reporting anything they spot to us.”

Algaard added: “The new portal allows our customers to check whether we are already on the case with a leak they have spotted, and report it to us quickly and easily if not. We are also committed to keeping our customers updated on our progress, so once a leak has been reported they can track the repair right through to completion.”

The leakage portal also includes information on what happens once a leak is reported and what customers should do if they find a leak on their own supply.

The company is currently working on new approaches to reducing leakage, including using satellite technology to capture images that can be used to detect leaks and then be passed on to leakage technicians on the ground.

Essex and Suffolk Water′s commitment to reduce leakage across its network by 17.5 per cent is part of its business plan for 2020-2025, which is currently being assessed by Ofwat.

The company’s commitment surpasses the leakage target recently outlined by the water regulator. In July, Ofwat challenged the water sector to reduce leakage by 15 per cent by 2025 and said it will take tough action against companies which fail to meet their leakage commitments.