United Utilities monitors hopepipe ban

United Utilities continues to monitor the ban it placed on homeowners using hosepipes to water gardens and wash cars, it said as it reported trading in line with expectations.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Jul 2010, 10:34 BST

The company, Britain's largest listed water utility, placed the ban on the majority of its customers in north west England earlier this month, saying 2010 had been the driest year since its rainfall records began 74 years ago.

"Recent increases in rainfall, together with the actions taken by the company, have helped improve water resource levels in the region," it said in a statement.

The firm, which supplies about seven million customers, said it was continuing to experience revenue and cost pressures, reflecting a tough ruling on prices from the regulator and the effects of the recession, such as higher customer debts.

Like peer Severn Trent earlier this week, United Utilities said the effects of government changes to corporation tax and capital allowances would be broadly neutral over the current five year regulatory period.