We launched our metering programme to install about half a million water meters and help secure future water resources in the South East.

We also built a new reservoir to help safeguard water supplies for our customers in West Sussex. The £12 million project, near Pulborough, included a pumping station and installation of 1.8km of pipeline to link the reservoir to our water treatment works at Hardham.

The reservoir will be filled from the River Arun only during the six-hour ebb of the tide and can provide enough water for the daily needs of a town the size of Horsham.

When needed during peak times, up to 10 million litres of water can be pumped from the reservoir to the treatment works and put into supply.

Building the reservoir is part of our 25-year plan to secure water resources for the future, alongside installing meters and tackling leaks.

During the year, we also replaced more than 50km of ageing water mains with plastic pipes to strengthen our supply network and reduce the number of bursts.

On the Isle of Sheppey, we laid a 2km water main to a development of 2,000 new homes, a school and marina.