SOUTHERN Water yesterday warmed to a pat on the back from Ofwat, the water regulator, for having experienced the lowest level of leaks of any of the ten water companies throughout the country.

Chairman Ronnie Mercer said Ofwat had confirmed Southern Water as providing the highest level of service among the water and wastewater companies, and had singled out the water company for providing particularly good service over three years.

To improve services still further, the company has opened a new £900,000 control centre to monitor its operations 24 hours a day throughout Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex and Kent.

Meanwhile, Mr Mercer says bathing beaches on the South Coast are showing the benefits of the company's coastal improvement programme with 94 per cent of the region's beaches meeting strict European standards.

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