We turn off the tap while cleaning our teeth, as unmended mains leak

SIR – Three weeks ago, I informed my water company of a leaking mains stop-tap in the pavement of my road. In the absence of any response, I rang its hotline again with a reminder.

To date I have only received three text messages from the company thanking me for my public-spirited assistance, and a fourth which includes the sentences: “Do your bit by putting away those hosepipes and sprinklers, and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. That way we’ll keep the water flowing for all. Thanks, Severn Trent.”

I expect the next message will tell me to expect a complete hosepipe ban imminently. Meanwhile, the leakage continues. Grrrr!

John Fletcher Woodthorpe, Nottinghamshire

SIR – South East Water will soon fine me and others for using a hosepipe.

I have never missed paying my bill for water I have consumed. I’m sure most people are in the same boat. So why can’t the water companies get their act together, plan for summer demand and sort out storage and leakage problems? If these companies can’t supply what they are supposed to provide, then they should compensate customers rather than fine them.

This situation happens decade after decade. Sort it out and hold directors responsible, with appropriate financial penalties for any inaction.

Water companies have captive customers with no competition. Their product falls from the skies, is used and returns to the atmosphere. The companies sort out storage and delivery. They must get it done and stop blaming everything on “climate change” while they still use Victorian plumbing to deliver their product.

Tim Oldfield Fellow, Royal Geographical Society Wye, Kent

SIR – We are an island surrounded by water, seawater. So where are the desalination plants?

John Griffith Bampton, Devon

SIR – Chris Packham and green campaigners prevented construction of a Hampshire desalination plant. Were Hampshire’s people consulted or did Southern Water just cave in?

Robin Nonhebel Swanage, Dorset

SIR – South East Water blames a hosepipe ban on the weather. A more likely cause is demand from thousands of new houses in Kent and Sussex.

Philip Jordan East Malling, Kent

SIR – A feasibility report on transfer of water North to South was presented to Margaret Thatcher’s administration. It was shelved as not being a priority.

Clive Williams Coedpoeth, Denbighshire

SIR – Why may someone fill a hot tub with a hose under South East’s new restrictions, but I cannot use one to water my allotment?

Simon Bull