Water wastage

SIR – The three billion litres of water lost daily due to leakage that you report (Features, July 28) is scandalous.

In my area of Hampshire, Southern Water recently announced that it is committed to reducing water supply leakages by 40 per cent in 20 years – which means that 60 per cent of leakages will not be dealt with for at least 20 years.

Failing government departments and water authorities have a public duty to resolve this shocking situation as a matter of urgency.

Peter Benham Waltham Chase, Hampshire

SIR – We’ve been sleep walking into a water supply crisis for decades under governments of all hues.

Several years ago I fitted a rainwater harvesting system to our property. Our water use immediately reduced by 70 per cent, illustrating clearly the folly of using scarce, expensive treated water for loo flushing.

If all new-builds were obliged to fit such a system, the cost per unit would be nominal and the problem much alleviated.

David Hutchinson Nutley, East Sussex

SIR – My grandmother always took a hot water bottle to bed. In the morning she used the lukewarm water from it to wash, saving water and electricity.

Fay Davies Talgarreg, Cardiganshire