Severn Trent 'used Uber drivers to look at water leaks'

[dutchman]

A water company has been using taxi drivers to look at leaks

Severn Trent said it had deployed the drivers on about 50 small leaks "as a cheaper way to get live video footage" than using technicians.

They sent images to engineers back at base who dispatched the most appropriate teams to the job, it added.

The water company's programme had "huge safety implications for customers, drivers, and the public at large", the GMB union said.

Water services regulation authority Ofwat said it expects all companies to "consider whether they are using efficient and effective tools and resources".

The GMB said Severn Trent had been using "Uber and taxi drivers" over two weeks for dozens of jobs.

The union's national officer Stuart Fegan said: "When I found out Severn Trent are using taxi drivers to investigate leaks, I thought it must be a joke.

"But no one is laughing - this has got huge safety implications."

Mr Fegan said water engineers were "highly trained specialists" who could spot "if water is contaminated and if water produces a risk to the public".

He added: "I doubt most taxi drivers can.

"And how is someone going to feel after they report a leak, expecting a Severn Trent worker to attend with a uniform and the necessary training and a taxi driver turns up. They'd think it was a hoax call."