Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117510, what discussions his Department has had with Ofwat to ensure that water and sewerage companies adopt the latest technology in leakage detection and that such technology provides value for money.

In its Price Review 2019 methodology (https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulated-companies/price-review/2019-price-review-final-methodology/), Ofwat is challenging companies to commit to achieving at least a 15% reduction in leakage, and to provide a clear explanation where they cannot achieve such a reduction. Companies will need to be both efficient and innovative in addressing leaks in their network. The specific technologies chosen by the companies to detect and manage leaks is a matter for them.