Yorkshire to cut water supplies by rota

IAN MacKINNON

Water supplies in theYorkshire area, where 7 million consumers are subject to hosepipe and sprinkler bans, will be rationed by cutting off supplies on a rota basis rather than using standpipes if the drought continues.

As Yorkshire Water, which maintained it had suffered particularly low rainfall over the past four months, indicated the concession, it was granted a second drought order restricting commercial water use. Labour, meanwhile, fired another salvo at the beleaguered water companies, accusing all but one of cutting spending on improving supply systems last year.

Gordon Brown, the shadow Chancellor, published figures compiled by the 10 privatised water companies which he said showed that in one region spending was 41 per cent lower than the previous year.

South West Water, he said, was the worst offender, followed closely by Northumbrian Water whose investment was 37 per cent down, and North West Water, 27 per cent.

"The truth behind the summer water shortages and the water leaks is revealed," he said. "Water companies have cut investment in water supply by 20 per cent in the last year and by 30 per cent over two years. In total, investment in water and sewerage has fallen by pounds 400m over the past year."

The cuts in investment, he argued, had taken place against a backdrop of prices which had been allowed to rise ahead of inflation by Ofwat, the industry regulator, because spending had to increase to pay for the renovation of infrastructure.

But the water companies, now well rehearsed in fending off attacks on their records, rejected the figures, saying it was nonsense to isolate expenditure for one or two years.

Thames Water said its five-year investment programme, which had been accelerated leading to lower spending in the final year, was agreed with Ofwat.

Wessex Water, which was accused by Labour of a 12.8 per cent investment cut last year, hit back saying that it had trebled its investment this year to pounds 13.5m.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water was equally robust. "To be honest this is an entirely fabricated argument. In any business with long-term planning there will be variations from year to year."

But yesterday the Department of the Environment allowed Yorkshire the second drought order which will prevent firms using water for non-essential tasks, such as washing vans or buildings.

It came as the company also said that, after discussions with local authorities, it had decided that standpipes in the street would be an inappropriate way to meet demand if supplies did not improve. Customers may have supplies cut for certain periods, signalled in advance, which would allow them to collect water during dry periods.

John Layfield, Yorkshire's production and technology director, said: "In view of the action we have taken, along with reduction in customer demand, it is unlikely that we would need to implement these less severe cuts [rotas] until mid to late September."