Waterguard technology is helping to plug the leaks

Waterguard Services has developed a device which detects and automatically shuts off the water supply when pipes burst or there is a major leak.

The system has been installed in schools, universities and homes across Britain, Westfield’s £1.45bn Stratford City shopping centre, which is adjacent to the Olympic site, and at Wimbledon.

Now the Barnsley firm plans to launch a product which has a smaller control unit with the instructions refined so they can be understood in a variety of languages.

Wayne Strachan, director of Waterguard Services, said: “The harsh weather last December really brought to the fore the potential damage burst pipes can cause. A fractured 15mm pipe can deliver a huge volume of water in just a few minutes, but bursts often go unnoticed for hours or even days.

“In addition to the more obvious cost of water damage, which can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, there’s the expense of drying-out, as well as the cost of the wasted water. One council saw a £300,000 reduction in its water bills after Waterguard had been installed in schools, leisure centres and offices.”

Waterguard is now working with a number of insurance companies, brokers and underwriters who are encouraging clients to install its product.

The firm, which turns over around £250,000, has been helped by the Enterprising Barnsley programme, which offers free support to high-growth local companies and is backed by the European Regional Development Fund.