Ofwat has launched an investigation into South East Water over issues it’s failing to reliably present provides to households and companies.
It comes after a string of incidents through which clients have been left with out water – together with some for so long as 23 days.
The agency angered households additional in the summertime by then introducing a hosepipe ban, which it blamed on extra folks working from dwelling.
Ofwat mentioned the corporate was the worst performing in England and Wales for “water supply interruptions”, with properties lower off for a mean of three hours and two minutes over the previous yr.
The regulator mentioned clients had been “failed too often” by the agency, which gives consuming water to 2.2 million clients throughout Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire.
If the probe finds South East Water responsible of failing to “develop and maintain an efficient water supply system”, it may face a fantastic of as much as 10% of its annual income, which was £257.5m within the 2022/23 monetary yr.
The regulator may additionally power the corporate to hold out enchancment works to its water programs.
Ofwat chief govt David Black mentioned: “Too many customers have been failed too often by South East Water. That’s why we are now carrying out a thorough investigation into the company and its service to customers.”
He added: “We are clear that water firms should do extra to regain public belief and it should begin with higher service.
“Where this does not happen, we will use all of our powers to ensure the sector delivers better value for both customers and the environment.”
Read extra from Sky News:
Deported killer presents to return to UK to indicate the place physique is buried
Ultra-marathon runner who used automobile throughout race is banned
Worst ranked parcel supply companies revealed
The Consumer Council for Water mentioned it was supporting the investigation into the agency, which it accused of “repeated poor handling of supply interruptions”.
Chief govt Mike Keil added there had been “considerable anger and frustration among many people who felt unsupported, compounded by the company’s poor communication”.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate additionally introduced final month it was contemplating taking enforcement motion “to secure improvements to South East Water’s supply system and ability to respond to incidents”.
Ofwat mentioned it could be working with the federal government physique throughout its probe.
It comes after the regulator summoned the agency to an pressing assembly in June to warn that its efficiency was beneath what was anticipated.
A spokesperson for South East Water mentioned the resilience of provides was a “major focus” and a “significant part” of its 2024 marketing strategy submitted to Ofwat.
They added: “We intend to fully cooperate with Ofwat on this matter.”
Source: information.sky.com”