Leaks

What we're doing

We’re investing almost £800m across the region by April 2025 to make sure it continues to deliver secure, safe drinking water now and in the future and protecting and improving river and coastal water quality.

Part of this commitment is to reduce leaks by 50% by 2050. There are lots of different ways that we can help to reduce leakage in our network – from early detection such as smart networks and the planned roll-out of smart meters - to protecting over 83,000km of pipes and tracking any issues from our central control room.

We’re always working on looking after and modernising our network, either through laying brand-new pipes or relining the existing network.

Spray lining is one of the ways we can help provide a robust network and reduce the likelihood of leaks and bursts in the future. Lining pipework is also less disruptive than digging up roads to lay new pipes. This is sustainable, new way of treating pipes, can be quicker and more cost effective than traditional trench-laying pipes and adding at least 50 years of service to the pipes.

Our commitment to reduce leaks by 2050

The Leakage Route map sets out how water companies in England plan to significantly reduce leakage by 2050.

The ambitious route map gives a framework for companies to meet their commitment to triple the rate of leakage reduction by 2030 and halve leakage by 2050. The 2030 target was set out in the 2019 Public Interest Commitment while the 2050 pledge has been endorsed by the National Infrastructure Committee. 

Read more about our commitment in the Water UK Leakage route map