Massive scale of UK water leaks

A "MIND-boggling" 3.3 billion litres of water was lost every day in 2007-8 from leaking pipes across Britain, figures out yesterday revealed.

The amount is equivalent to more than 1,300 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The Liberal Democrats, who obtained the figures, want to give water regulator Ofwat the power to set stricter leakage targets and stiffer fines for water firms.

Environment spokesman Tim Farron said: "Year after year, people have seen their water bills shoot up while a ridiculous amount of water is still being wasted."