I work for a water company, AMA

[HotSummer22]

Given all the news reports about hosepipe bans at the moment I thought people might be interested to know what it's like to actually work in water production. I've been in the industry for 10 years and worked for two of the big suppliers - ask me anything!

NC for this as could be outing when linked to my other posts.

someone told me spring water is better than tap as it has more minerals. I assume this is false?

I don't work in wastewater so don't have anything to do with sewage discharges! And someone who enjoys both rivers and beaches I'd rather it wasn't in either, just like everyone else.

@HotSummer22 thanks, it's an interesting topic and appreciate your perspective.

I am not an expert but this sounds like it might be an internal plumbing issue, have you had anyone take a look? I'd suggest start with that - if there is biofilm built up in your system they can clean it.

Is it true that some water authorities give out free water butts ?

A few reasons: cost is a big one. OFWAT would need to approve the funding to build one so would need to be convinced that this was the best use of customers money. Also finding a suitable location with the right geology/land profile that isn't currently occupied by lots of people who would then need to move out is tricky.

I have heard that Portsmouth Water have got permission to build a new reservoir at Havant Springs so it does happen sometimes!

How do you feel about "flushable" wipes?

It's misleading certainly! Depending on where the tap water comes from it may have just as many minerals in as bottled (e.g. chalk boreholes). A lot of tap water is in fact from springs as well, just with a lower advertising budget! The amount of minerals has no significant health benefit but will affect how hard/soft the water is so people might prefer the taste of one or the other.

No idea, sorry 😂The one that supplies me doesn't but I did buy some cheap ones. You'll have to check the websites!

@HotSummer22 i'm in London so hard water, dislike it!

Angry on behalf of anyone who has to remove them from wastewater pumps and screens by hand 😡I have had a couple of tours of wastewater treatment works through industry events and the things that people flush away are just insane - sanitary towels are common, but so is underwear apparently!

If anyone is wondering, just pee, poo and toilet paper please.

I must admit I prefer soft water too - my hair feels so soft after washing, and the kettle doesn't go all manky 😄

What is your opinion on the flooding of Tryweryn in order to supply water to England (Liverpool)?

I don't have one as no knowledge of the history on either side. But your question leads on nicely from the one about why more reservoirs haven't been built!

Thank you OP, interesting subject!

How far into the future do water companies think and plan? Is there any strategy on how to deal with the effects of climate change?

What are seen as the biggest challenges?

Is all water you send out drinking water quality?

Where does our water actually mostly come from? Ground water wells? Surface water (lakes/rivers/reservoirs)? Desalination? Recycled waste water?

(Sorry for asking many questions, I’m realising how little I know about quite an important subject!)

The model atn is that the more coastline in your area the higher the cost of your water, isn't it? This seems insane to me.

Wouldn't it be more sensible to have a national charge for water, probably set by ofwat, so everyone pays the same?

I live upstairs in a house converted into 2 flats, how can I find out if my supply is connected with the neighbours for water meter purposes?

thank you

Thanks Finance! It's great to have interested people to talk to about it. Here are some answers:

Every company should have a 25 year plan with their broad aims. Funding however is renegotiated every five years with OFWAT so each company writes a new business plan every five years setting out what they want to do in terms of investing in assets and how much money they think they need to do this. OFWAT will review this and either approve it (unusual) or challenge it. Usually companies end up with less money than they wanted but are still expected to do everything they put on the wishlist.

Biggest challenges: climate change and population growth - droughts and floods are both a challenge, and demand increasing doesn't help. Also aging infrastructure.

Yes, everything that leaves a treatment works to go into supply must be of drinking water quality. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (another one of our regulators) have some of the most stringent regulations in the world for water quality and companies can be prosecuted if they breach these.

Depends where you live. Generally north of England/Scotland/Wales majority will be reservoirs/rivers. South of England majority may be groundwater or river water. Your water company should have details on their website. The only desalination plant I know of is at Thames Water and not currently used. I haven't heard of anywhere directly recycling wastewater yet.

I haven't heard of that about the coastline so no idea if it's true! OFWAT set the prices already so I guess we have to hope that they're doing it sensibly?!

I'm guessing that you don't already have a meter? If so you should be able to contact your supplier and ask them to come and fit one - they'll tell you when they visit if you're on a shared supply and they can't fit one as a result.

If you've already got one and you're worried you are paying for someone else's water then your supplier can hopefully get an inspector out to take a look.

Thank you. I once had to tell an overnight visitor not to put their "flushable" wipes down my loo and they were a bit put out but I feel vindicated now 😂

I also heard that the amount of coastline had an impact on the cost of water. We are supplied by south west water and I've heard they are an expensive supplier because they're responsible for ensuring the water which is released into the sea is clean enough, and there are a lot of beaches in the south west. Not sure if that's true!

No idea, but it's a good theory! Although it would only apply to the companies that do sewerage and shouldn't influence how much money any of them get for treating drinking water.

Do you have much contact with OFWAT?

None at all - the only regulators I come into contact with at work are the Drinking Water Inspectorate (water quality) and the Environment Agency (abstraction/discharge). The asset team liaise with OFWAT but I have no idea what that entails!