Ofwat chief defends water companies over lack of new reservoirs

David Black also says most firms are meeting leakage targets despite water shortages in England

The head of the water regulator for England and Wales has defended water companies against criticism over not building new reservoirs despite high levels of executive bonuses and shareholder dividends.

David Black, the chief executive of Ofwat, also said old pipes were not to blame for leaks and that most companies were meeting their leakage targets.