Water leakage reduction remains a major focus for South West Water, which has repaired more than 26,700 leaks across Devon and Cornwall during the past 12 months.
That is equivalent to around 73 repairs every day.
The utility has also reported a 12.5% increase in the number of leaks detected, supported by additional specialist teams and technologies designed to locate hidden water losses.
Water leakage reduction during a dry summer
The work comes after the South West experienced five heatwaves during summer 2026.
Hot and dry conditions have placed additional pressure on water resources, increasing the importance of finding and repairing leaks across the distribution network.
South West Water has doubled the size of its leakage detection teams since 2020 to help identify problems sooner and accelerate repairs.
The utility says these investments have helped increase the number of leaks detected while supporting wider efforts to reduce water losses.
Technology helps teams find hidden leaks
Many water leaks occur underground beneath roads, footpaths and fields, making them difficult to locate using visual inspections alone.
South West Water’s leakage teams use acoustic monitoring, satellite imagery, drones and specially trained leak detection dogs to identify potential problems.
Once a leak has been located, teams assess the volume of water being lost, the potential impact on customers and the environment, and any associated safety risks.
This enables repair work to be prioritised while more complex interventions are planned safely.
Customer-owned pipework accounts for around 30% of leaks
Around 30% of the leaks identified by South West Water are associated with customer-owned pipework.
The utility provides support through repair schemes and water efficiency initiatives to help customers identify and repair leaks on private property.
It also offers guidance for customers who suspect they have a leak and operates schemes that can contribute towards eligible supply pipe repairs or replacements.
Leak repairs support long-term network resilience
Chris Kingscott, Supporting Active Leakage Control Project Officer at South West Water, said reducing leakage remains a major priority while regional water resources are under pressure.
“Customers rightly expect us to tackle leakage, particularly at a time when water resources are under increased pressure and people are being asked to use water wisely. That’s why reducing leakage remains one of our biggest priorities.”
He said the utility had continued investing in technology and specialist teams to identify hidden leaks faster and target repairs where they can deliver the greatest benefit.
“Over the last 12 months we’ve repaired more than 26,700 leaks across the region, while continuing to invest in new technology and specialist teams to help find hidden leaks faster and target repairs where they can make the biggest difference.”
The utility says water leakage reduction will remain an important part of protecting supplies and improving the resilience of its network.
South West Water is also continuing wider investment in its water mains infrastructure across Devon and Cornwall to reduce leaks and bursts.
H2O Global News recently reported on South West Water’s investment programme in Lyme Regis, which includes new storm storage tanks and drainage improvements to help protect local water quality.
South West Water says it repaired more than 26,700 leaks across Devon and Cornwall during the past 12 months, equivalent to around 73 repairs each day.
Leakage teams use acoustic monitoring, satellite imagery, drones and specially trained leak detection dogs to locate hidden leaks across the network.
Around 30% of the leaks identified by South West Water are associated with customer-owned pipework.
Reducing leakage helps conserve water resources, improve network resilience and minimise water losses, particularly during periods of hot and dry weather.
