Prescott: developing a national strategy for water services

The Deputy Prime Minister speaking on the Today programme - Dur 2' 30"

Water Firms to Offer Free Repair Service

Every water company is to offer its household customers a free leakage and detection repair service for supply pipes, the Government announced today.

The move follows a call by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, to the 29 privatised firms to improve customer services and environmental protection.

Mr Prescott told journalists at a London news conference he was "delighted" that his water summit held shortly after the General Election was starting to show results and get "a better deal" for customers.

Eight of the smaller companies have indicated they will limit the number of free repairs to any one service pipe - a situation Mr Prescott said he understood. "Where a supply pipe may be in such a bad state that it will be better to replace it than to keep repairing it, some companies mentioned that they offered subsidised supply pipe replacement."

He commended to all companies the example of two other of the smaller firms which have decided to offer free replacement of leaking household supply pipes instead of free repairs.

And at least one company is offering free replacement for any leaking supply pipe made of lead, rather than repair it.

Complaints are down 25% compared with last year

"Our first priority is that any leaking household supply pipe should be fixed for free, however that is done," said Mr Prescott.

"Companies will need to develop some means of measuring their success in this. Getting customers to talk and think about these things is a good start. All companies see clear roles for the Environmental Task Force in promoting water efficiency and we will shall be encouraging water companies to make early progress and use this resource."

He said that in addition to the 14 companies which have already done so, eight others have indicated they are prepared to enter formal arrangements with the director general of water services over compensation schemes for drought-related supply interruptions.

Those companies which have not already done so, are now moving to agree on a drought contingency plan. Mr Prescott said such a move was essential for protecting the environment while safeguarding supplies. He added that he was pleased the industry was united in taking this action in advance of the Government bringing forward new laws to make it a statutory requirement.

No Room for Complacency

"The real task is to ensure that the information reaches the audience, so that all water companies can demonstrate that their actions are resulting in better service to their customers and to the environment.

"I shall be looking for sustained commitment to all of these actions. So I shall be writing to all companies again towards the end of the year, asking for an update on the various activities and initiatives they have described to me."

Mr Prescott said he called the Water Summit because he thought it was time to start fighting on behalf of the customer. "We needed to establish a national strategy for water supply and quality. We also needed to shift the balance to help the environment. We needed to give more backing to the role of the regulator.

"We were determined to tackle the concern that had built up about our water supplies in the years following privatisation, and the added anxieties that drought and hot summers have caused to water companies and their customers alike. We wanted a better deal for customers."

The Deputy Prime Minister refused to speculate on any action the Government might take if water companies failed to meet their pledges. "We have powers and we shall take them," he said.