Last week, it was revealed that Chamberlayne Road in Kensal Green has suffered 31 water leaks between November 2011 and February 2018. This is atrocious and yet, sadly, not surprising when you consider that London pipes have burst or leaked 36,000 times during the same period.
It was also unsurprising to see Ofwat hand down £120 million of fines to Thames Water after their disastrous handling of a recent surge in incidents across London.
We have heard appalling accounts from many Londoners who have seen their lives disrupted or businesses destroyed by leaks. Some have had their properties flooded, whilst others have had their water supply cut.
Thames Water have pledged some compensation to their customers, but this small recompense is the very least customers deserve given the inconvenience and upheaval many have endured.
A senior Thames Water official recently remarked that ‘money is not an issue’ in fixing longstanding problems with the capital’s water supply. If that is the case, there is no excuse for Thames Water not to up their game. I want to see them take more stringent action to improve their emergency procedures and put a stop to these seemingly endless leaks.
Notes to editors
No notes, this was a Letter for Publication