Between April 2005 and March 2010, the AMP4 period, Anglian Water is investing over £17 million maintaining its 37,000 km of water mains. We have focussed on parts of the network where we experience high burst cluster rates or where there is a high potential impact to customers. Our leakage record remains one of the best in the industry. We use techniques designed to minimise the impact on and inconvenience to customers and ensure that any interruptions to supply are kept to a minimum.
In addition to this the population in our region, despite the recent downturn in the housing market, is growing fast and this increases the quantity of water that we have to treat and supply. We work closely with the various planning organisations across our region to understand where and when large new developments are likely to occur, so that we can make appropriate plans for the provision of clean water and for the treatment of wastewater. This can mean enlarging the capacity of our treatment works and distribution systems to meet the increased demand.
Our water network performance is assessed each year by Ofwat who require us to maintain our treatment capability in a ‘stable’ condition. In 2008 we were assessed by Ofwat as meeting this ‘stable’ requirement.