London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Thames Water to stop complaining about unrealistic leakage targets and instead focus on improving its service. His comments come after the company’s CEO, Chris Weston, expressed concerns over the achievability of these targets, citing a history of poor performance and record leaks across the city.
Khan highlighted the unacceptable situation of ongoing hosepipe bans and sewage discharges into rivers, which have persisted despite Thames Water’s significant executive pay rises and shareholder dividends. He emphasized the need for both the company and its regulator, Ofwat, to take responsibility for the deteriorating water services.
The backdrop of this criticism is Thames Water’s staggering £20 billion debt, which has led to discussions of potential nationalisation as the government seeks to ensure better public control over essential utilities. Khan expressed support for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s exploration of options to improve Thames Water’s operations without burdening taxpayers.
As the company faces scrutiny for its financial practices and service failures, the pressure is mounting for Thames Water to address its issues effectively, particularly as drought conditions continue to affect millions of customers.
Source: LBC News
