3 February 2012
Thames Water today asked its 14m customers to help find the leaks as the cold weather led to an increase in burst pipes.
As well as facing the prospect of a drought this summer, following the recent Arctic blast across Britain the company is now also dealing with the additional challenge of losing its precious product from pipes breaking in the chill.
In January, our customers were reporting an average of 100 leaks a day to the Leakline. Since Wednesday and the start of the freeze, the number of calls has gone up to 300 a day.
Jerry White, Thames Water’s head of water production, said:
"The freezing temperatures this week have had a big impact on our pipes. We’ve seen a three-fold increase in the number of leaks reported which is good news for us in terms of our customers helping us to tackle them, but we need more help.
"This year we have reduced leakage to the lowest levels in the company's history. But in the sub-zero temperatures this week, our pipes - especially the old cast-iron ones – have been contracting and in some cases broken along hairline weaknesses.
"Our top priority is keeping water running through customers' taps, and to do that requires a team effort. We'll fix the pipes as soon as we can provided we know where the leaks are, which is where our customers can help.
"You are our eyes and ears so the sooner a leak is reported, the quicker we can fix it. If you see a leak, please don't assume we know about it. Instead, please help us find the leaks by calling our free Leakline on 0800 714614 or #tweet-a-leak on Twitter @thameswater.
"Making sure we fix pipes as quickly as possible is more important than ever having received below-average rainfall for 17 of the last 22 months. Saving water now, at home and in the streets, will help ensure there’s enough to go around this spring and summer."
A leaky tap can waste 60 litres of water a week, carrying a carbon footprint equal to running an eco-friendly light bulb for four days.
Since 2003 Thames Water has replaced 1,400 miles of worn-out Victorian mains under London, cutting leakage by almost a third - enough water every day to fill the Royal Albert Hall four times over.
For advice on protecting your pipes at home from bursts this winter, visit www.thameswater.co.uk/winter
