Now Uber drivers are sent to check water leaks

A WATER company has been using Uber drivers to investigate leaks.

Severn trent, which was criticised last year for leaving families without water after severe pipe bursts, is asking drivers to carry out a video survey of the leaks as part of a trial.

the privatised company deployed the drivers on about 50 small leaks ‘as a cheaper way to get live video footage’ than using qualified – and more expensive – technicians.

the Uber drivers sent images to engineers back at base who were tasked with dispatching the most appropriate teams to the job.

Just as Uber drivers have replaced traditional taxis and, more recently, the hordes of takeaway food moped delivery drivers, it seems big business is also finding new ways to use the untrained, self-employed drivers to cut costs.

However, the scheme has been condemned by the GMB union, who said using untrained drivers as leak surveyors creates ‘huge safety implications for customers, drivers, and the public at large’.

the GMB’s Stuart Fegan said: ‘Water engineers are highly trained specialists – they can spot if water is contaminated and if water produces a risk to the public. i doubt most taxi drivers can. they also don’t know how to pinpoint leaks – meaning repair crews can dig unnecessary holes in the highway’

‘Have Severn trent consulted with its customers about this practice or discussed it with the regulator or Health and Safety executive?’

He added: ‘ and how is someone going to feel after they report a leak, expecting a Severn trent worker to attend with a uniform and the necessary training and a taxi driver turns up. they’d think it was a hoax call. Severn trent needs to see sense and cancel the Uber leaks programme immediately.’

Severn trent, which serves 4.3million homes across an area stretching from the Peak District to Gloucestershire, said the trial was designed to improve efficiency in tackling leaks.

a spokesman said: ‘all we’re asking them to do is hold a phone up and respond to the engineer as he makes an assessment of the leak.

‘We’ve carried out a series of twoweek trials as we look to find new, more efficient ways to find and fix leaks. this particular trial has looked at around 50 small leaks where we’ve used taxi drivers rather than technicians as a cheaper way to get live video footage of the leak.

‘We’re now looking at all the trial results to see the best way to help our engineers spend more time doing what’s best for our customers by fixing leaks rather than simply assessing them.’

Severn trent is among a number of firms that have missed official leakage reduction targets.

Last year, the water regulator, Ofwat, wrote to the company and three others raising concerns over the way it dealt with problems caused by the so-called ‘Beast from the east’, which triggered a number of pipe bursts and so left people without water or central heating.

the company has been at the centre of concerns over enormous rewards for bosses. the GMB union complained Severn trent has paid its chief executive, Liv Garfield, an astonishing £7million since 2014.

Uber did not respond to requests for comment.

‘Customers will think it’s a hoax’