Leaks and low rainfall

June 04, 2011, 12:15 AM GMT+0

More than half of British people feel that water companies are doing a bad job of reducing the amount of water lost in leaks, while Brits are reluctant to blame this year’s low rainfall in Britain on climate change, our poll has found. Nonetheless, there is no clear consensus over whether water meters regulating water supply should be introduced in all households.


  • A total of 56% of people believe water companies are doing a bad job of reducing the amount of water lost in leaks
  • While just 21% think companies are responding well to leakages, and 19% don’t know
  • 52% feel that the low rainfall Britain has experienced this year is probably not a result of climate change
  • Compared to 29% who think that it probably is
  • While marginally more people support plans with 45% would support the introduction of water meters in every household
  • A statistically similar 39% of people oppose the idea

The survey comes as the Met Office has revealed that this year saw one of the driest springs for more than a hundred years. In general, England and Wales saw just 45% of the long-term average rainfall for March, April and May, which may cause trouble for water suppliers around the country.

Despite this, opinion is split as to whether water meters should be installed in every household in Britain. It is argued that water meters could help better regulate vital water supplies, especially in dry periods, like that currently affecting Britain.

Water shortages may be exacerbated by leakages, but our poll suggests that much of the British people feel that water companies handle such problems badly. It was revealed last month that more than 22,000 water leaks were repaired across south-east England by Southern Water in the past year.