Leaky Welsh Water urges caution as dry spell continues
Customers asked to cut back on water usage amid driest spring in years
PEOPLE across Wales are being urged to reduce their water use as the country braces for what could be the hottest start to May on record.
March 2025 was the fourth driest March in Wales since records began, with rainfall levels 30% lower than in 2022 – the last time some parts of the country faced water use restrictions.
While current reservoir levels remain slightly below average for the time of year and overall water resources are in a relatively strong position, Welsh Water is warning customers not to be complacent.
The company has already increased output at its treatment works, moving more water around the system to keep up with growing demand in hotspot areas.
On some of the warmest days this week, Welsh Water's 61 treatment facilities produced an extra 7 million litres of water – enough to fill 35,000 bathtubs.
Leak repairs are also being prioritised. The company says its teams are currently fixing around 700 leaks every week, and customers are encouraged to report any they spot. Over the next five years, Welsh Water plans to cut leakage by 25%, with £400 million earmarked for pipe replacement and repair work.
Homeowners can also take advantage of free efficiency checks through the company's Cartref programme, which includes leaking toilet repairs and other water-saving advice provided by qualified plumbers.
In addition, Welsh Water is sharing practical tips to help people cut consumption:
Don't leave taps running while brushing teeth or washing hands
Take showers instead of baths
Only run dishwashers and washing machines when full
Fill paddling pools only part-way – and reuse the water on the garden
Avoid using sprinklers on lawns
Use the 'Get Water Fit' calculator online for more tips and free water-saving products
Ian Christie, Managing Director of Water, Asset Planning and Capital Delivery at Welsh Water, said: 'With the low rainfall levels, we are working around the clock to ensure we get as much treated water into the system as possible. Our teams are fixing 700 leaks each week.
'Although reservoir levels are currently comfortable, we're asking for customers' support to help water reach everyone. It's essential we preserve supplies in our reservoirs and rivers after such a dry spring.
'Our advice is simple – use what you need, but please don't waste it.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
'No quick fix' as Welsh Water makes £8m financial loss
A water company has reported an £8m loss for the past financial year, despite a £46m profit the year Cymru Welsh Water said it had invested a record £629m in its water and wastewater network in claimed this was a 31% year-on-year increase to maintain and improve its annual report said there was "no quick fix" to getting back on track financially due to ageing infrastructure, extreme weather events and more scrutiny. Gail Davies-Walsh, chief executive of Afonydd Cymru, the rivers trust in Wales, said the company was being honest that improvements were needed but added "environmental performance on the ground needs to improve significantly".In April, water bills for households rose by 27% for Welsh Water customers, meaning an average annual bill increased from £503 to £ company said that increase would help fund future are expected to be annual increases for the next five Water said last year a record 153,000 customers were given financial help with their company is one of only three water companies in Wales and England to be placed in regulator Ofwat's "lagging" said investments and plans will need to be maintained and accelerated in order to move out of this Davies-Walsh said Welsh Water was "not being shy about admitting their performance is not where it needs to be" but "the real proof will be in the performance report next month"."It is currently a two star company and we need a four star company for Wales," she said, referring to the Ofwat categories. During 2024-25, Welsh Water said it had improved 144 miles (231km) of rivers and undertaken projects such as replacing the treatment process at Cardigan Wastewater Treatment works, in Ceredigion, increasing capacity at Bangor Beach Road wastewater pumping station, in Gwynedd, and upgrading the wastewater network in Usk, also faced "two of the most difficult operational incidents it has faced in decades", the company said - including damage by Storm Bert in Rhondda Cynon Taf and a burst water main in Conwy Water, which is owned by not-for-profit organisation Glas Cymru, said it has plans for capital investment of £ Cymru chairwoman Jane Hanson said: "There is no quick fix – we recognise the scale of the task ahead and that progress will take time, but we are putting the right building blocks in place."Welsh Water chief executive Peter Perry said: "We know we need to go further and faster to make the step change in performance to meet the needs of our customers, communities and stakeholders."
North Wales Chronicle
12 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Water firms would be foolish to increase salaries to get around bonus ban
Six firms have been banned from paying bonuses to senior bosses under new rules that came into force on Friday. Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Wessex Water, United Utilities and Southern Water have been told that they cannot issue bonuses for the financial year 2024/25, which concluded in April. Mr Reed said that customers need to have 'confidence' in what water firms are doing, but also said it would not be 'right' for the Government or regulator to be 'capping' salaries in private sector businesses. Asked if he was going to make sure that firms cannot raise base salaries to compensate for any bonus ban, Mr Reed told Times Radio: 'I think they would be extremely foolish to do anything of the sort that you're describing, because (…) these companies need to rebuild their broken relationship with their customers. 'Their customers need to have confidence in what they're doing, their customers are furious at the fact that they're seeing local waterways being polluted, but bosses taking multimillion-pound bonuses.' He later told the BBC that it would not be 'right' for the Government or regulator to be setting salaries. He told Radio 4's Today programme: ''I don't think it's right that government or regulators should be capping the salaries in private sector businesses. Promise made. Promise delivered. — Steve Reed MP (@SteveReedMP) June 6, 2025 'But those businesses need to have an eye on how their customers are feeling about what they are doing, and there are steps that you can take that are appropriate within regulation.' The firms have all been banned under new rules which prevent bonuses from being paid if a water company does not meet environmental or consumer standards, does not meet financial resilience requirements, or is convicted of a criminal offence. The six companies are not under an indefinite ban, and those firms may be able to offer rewards for the 2025/26 year, provided they stick within the Ofwat rules, under the Water (Special Measures) Act which comes into force on Friday. If a company pays a bonus while it is under a ban, the water regulator Ofwat has the power to get the money back. Under the new rules, Yorkshire Water, United Utilities, Thames Water, and Southern Water will all be unable to pay bonuses to the chief executive or chief financial officer, for the 24/25 financial year. Anglian Water will be banned from paying its chief executive a bonus, but the chief financial officer will not be banned. Wessex Water will be banned from paying its chief financial officer any extra, but the chief executive will be exempt. The exemptions are because people were not in post when the incident that broke Ofwat's rules happened.
Leader Live
12 hours ago
- Leader Live
Water firms would be foolish to increase salaries to get around bonus ban
Six firms have been banned from paying bonuses to senior bosses under new rules that came into force on Friday. Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Wessex Water, United Utilities and Southern Water have been told that they cannot issue bonuses for the financial year 2024/25, which concluded in April. Mr Reed said that customers need to have 'confidence' in what water firms are doing, but also said it would not be 'right' for the Government or regulator to be 'capping' salaries in private sector businesses. Asked if he was going to make sure that firms cannot raise base salaries to compensate for any bonus ban, Mr Reed told Times Radio: 'I think they would be extremely foolish to do anything of the sort that you're describing, because (…) these companies need to rebuild their broken relationship with their customers. 'Their customers need to have confidence in what they're doing, their customers are furious at the fact that they're seeing local waterways being polluted, but bosses taking multimillion-pound bonuses.' He later told the BBC that it would not be 'right' for the Government or regulator to be setting salaries. He told Radio 4's Today programme: ''I don't think it's right that government or regulators should be capping the salaries in private sector businesses. Promise made. Promise delivered. — Steve Reed MP (@SteveReedMP) June 6, 2025 'But those businesses need to have an eye on how their customers are feeling about what they are doing, and there are steps that you can take that are appropriate within regulation.' The firms have all been banned under new rules which prevent bonuses from being paid if a water company does not meet environmental or consumer standards, does not meet financial resilience requirements, or is convicted of a criminal offence. The six companies are not under an indefinite ban, and those firms may be able to offer rewards for the 2025/26 year, provided they stick within the Ofwat rules, under the Water (Special Measures) Act which comes into force on Friday. If a company pays a bonus while it is under a ban, the water regulator Ofwat has the power to get the money back. Under the new rules, Yorkshire Water, United Utilities, Thames Water, and Southern Water will all be unable to pay bonuses to the chief executive or chief financial officer, for the 24/25 financial year. Anglian Water will be banned from paying its chief executive a bonus, but the chief financial officer will not be banned. Wessex Water will be banned from paying its chief financial officer any extra, but the chief executive will be exempt. The exemptions are because people were not in post when the incident that broke Ofwat's rules happened.
