Flood prevention

According to the UK Environment Agency, water companies in England and Wales must invest more in maintenance to improve the environment and reduce the risk of pollution incidents.

Last year, it said that water companies were responsible for one fifth of all serious pollution incidents - many of which were caused by poorly maintained, overloaded or ageing sewerage infrastructure.

Responding to the water companies’ draft business plans for 2010-2015, the Environment Agency called on the industry to be clear about its priorities for capital maintenance, taking into account the potential impact on the environment.

The Environment Agency urged them to do more to manage their resources and work with customers to reduce demand for water, which could include the introduction of compulsory water metering in areas of high water usage.

The water companies will also be pressed to review their draft plans to take account of the increased risk of flooding to their key assets due to climate change. Such infrastructure, including water treatment and sewage works, is often located by rivers and is particularly susceptible to flooding. Many plants were badly affected during the summer 2007 floods, cutting water supplies and sewage services to thousands of homes and businesses.