There are other issues affecting leakage, such as the estimation of household consumption, which require further investigation. I will be progressing this in the next few months and will continue to challenge companies to ensure that their procedures for estimating both leakage and consumption are as rigorous as they can be. Companies also have a duty to promote the efficient use of water by all their customers, both household and non-household. All companies now have water efficiency plans which bring together the many initiatives they are undertaking in carrying out this duty. These plans will help companies to maximise their existing resources and facilitate the sensible development of new resources.
All companies now offer free leak detection and repair for household customers' supply pipes.
Most companies have a freephone leakline number, offer free water audits of customers' houses and offer free cistern devices to customers to help save water when toilet flushing. I will expect all companies to have in place arrangements to monitor and assess the effectiveness of their strategies. This year it is too early to quantify the level of savings achieved as a result of the various initiatives. However, in future, companies will report annually to me on progress in promoting the efficient use of water and, in particular, on the impact of their strategy on the overall demand for water. I will expect these strategies to feature at the next price review in companies' plans for balancing the supply and demand for water in their region.