Charlotte Cane MP Challenges Anglian Water

With drought conditions affecting parts of England and Wales, and East Anglia currently subject to a hosepipe ban, Charlotte Cane MP has raised concerns about the level of water being lost through leaks in Anglian Water’s network. Figures analysed by the Liberal Democrats show that Anglian Water lost 68,255 million litres of water through leaks in 2024/25 - an average of around 187 million litres per day. That is equivalent to approximately 74.8 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water each day.

Charlotte Cane, Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, said the figures underline the importance of continued investment in reducing leakage and improving the resilience of the region’s water infrastructure.

With residents being asked to reduce their water use during the hosepipe ban, she has called on Anglian Water to make tackling leaks a priority alongside measures to manage demand.

The figures show that leakage in 2024/25 was equivalent to 62.1 litres per customer per day. Charlotte Cane has previously called for stronger regulation of the water industry and greater investment in infrastructure, and said the latest figures reinforce those concerns.

She has also called on the Government to ensure that measures to reduce leakage form part of its wider reforms of the water sector, arguing that improving infrastructure will become increasingly important as periods of hot and dry weather place greater pressure on water supplies.

Charlotte Cane, Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, said:

“Residents understand that during prolonged periods of dry weather we all need to use water carefully. But it is also reasonable for people to expect water companies to do everything they can to reduce the very significant amount of water being lost through leaks.

“These figures are concerning, particularly at a time when households across East Anglia are being asked to restrict their own water use. I want to see Anglian Water investing consistently in its network so that leakage is reduced and our water supply is more resilient in future.

“There also needs to be effective regulation that ensures water companies are accountable and that investment in infrastructure is given the priority it deserves. We need a system that is focused on reducing leaks, protecting our environment and providing a reliable service for customers.

“The Government must immediately replace Ofwat with a powerful new regulator, in order to hold Anglian Water to account for its persistent failures. Under the mutual model of ownership that we are calling for, infrastructure investment would be a priority for water companies, with bills reinvested into stopping leaks and preventing sewage dumping.”