Water companies currently enforcing hosepipe bans across the UK are leaking more than one billion litres of water every day, new analysis reveals. Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Southern Water and South East Water have faced criticism for imposing restrictions amid shortages while losing vast amounts through leaks.
The 1.031 billion litres lost daily in 2024/25 would fill 400 Olympic swimming pools, according to the companies' annual performance reports. The Liberal Democrats labelled the situation a “scandal,” highlighting “eye-watering” executive pay, including Southern Water chief Lawrence Gosden’s 35% pay rise to £975,000.
Thames Water leaked the most at 569.1 megalitres per day (ML/d), followed by Yorkshire Water (260.2 ML/d), South East Water (104.8 ML/d) and Southern Water (97.7 ML/d). Regulator Ofwat noted that about a fifth of water is still lost to leakage, though this has fallen 41% since privatisation in 1989.
Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: “It is an absolute scandal that families are being told to limit their water use this summer, while these failing water firms are letting over a billion litres a day go to waste through leaky pipes.”
Water companies defended their record. A Thames Water spokesperson said leakage is at its lowest ever level, down 13.2% since 2020, but acknowledged more work is needed. Southern Water reported a 20% reduction last year, while Yorkshire Water said leakage is the lowest in the region’s history. Water UK added that leakage has fallen every year since 2020 and will be cut by a further 17% by 2030.
