THE firm that supplies water to customers in Times Territory was one of six companies in the UK that failed to meet leakage targets in the last year.

Veolia Water Central, which is based in Hatfield, has blamed the coldest winter for 30 years for a surge in the number of burst pipes, which contributed to it being 3.6 per cent over its target in 2009/10.

The statistics were revealed in a report published yesterday (Thursday) by industry regulator Ofwat.

A Veolia spokeswoman said they were “disappointed” to miss the target, but had learned valuable lessons.

She said: “The exceptionally severe winter saw a huge increase in burst pipes across our supply area.

“Although the weather conditions were exceptional – it was the coldest winter in our region for 30 years – we have learned lessons from our response.

“We have mobilised more resources this year, to bring our leakage performance back on track and to exceed our target.”

Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn warned the offending firms Ofwat took leakage failures seriously and would issue fines to any that did not take appropriate action.