UK water treatment 'among the best in Europe'

Drinking water treatment in England and Wales is as good as anywhere in Europe, Ofwat has revealed.

In its latest report, the UK's water and sewage regulator confirmed that drinking water provisions in the two countries were "up there with the best" on the continent.

It also suggested the number of complaints against water boards has fallen by 20 per cent in the past two years, while incidents involving flooded sewers have also fallen sharply.

However, Ofwat chiefs said there are still a number of causes for concern, after six firms - Dwr Cymru, Anglian, Southern, Yorkshire, Severn Trent and Northumbrian - North-East operating area - all failed to meet leakage targets.

Ofwat also came across a high number of supply interruptions encountered by customers.

"Where we have concerns about companies' performance, we have made sure there are action plans in place to put the problem right, at no extra cost to customers," commented the regulator's chief executive officer Regina Finn.

Earlier this month, it was reported that China plans to spend billions of pounds on boosting its own water system, as many reservoirs need to be upgraded.

Posted by Lauren Steadman