14 | XXXXX 20XX | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk
In Focus
Q. What are some of the key chal-
lenges facing water companies as
they try to reduce leakage?
ML: "There are a number of challenges
facing the water industry as it works to
reduce leakage. These range from an
ageing network with millions of potential
failure points to the availability of skilled
leakage technicians. We are also dealing
with more extreme weather conditions,
which exacerbate the challenge."
PT: "E• cient methods of working, train-
ing and retention of skilled labour to un-
dertake leak detection and repairs to the
water network. Accounting for all water
usage and obtaining accurate household
and non-household consumption. As
leakage is driven down, it becomes more
di• cult to • nd and very expensive to • x."
TM: "Looking forward, there are a num-
ber of emerging challenges as we reduce
leakage to new all-time low levels. It is
likely that leaks will be smaller on aver-
age, which will make them more di• cult
to • nd. It will also mean that the number
of leaks we will need to repair to achieve
The leakage challenge
With water companies facing tough challenges
around reducing water leaks, Alec Peachey
caught up with experts from Northumbrian Water,
Southern Water and Thames Water to fi nd out
more about the work they're doing in this area.
14 | JANUARY 2020 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk
PARTICIPANTS:
Martin Lunn (ML),
head of water
service planning,
Northumbrian Water
Phil Tapping (PT),
regional demand
manager wholesale
water services,
Southern Water
Tim McMahon
(TM), head of water
networks, Thames
Water
