The latest official report on levels of service in the water industry of England and Wales places Bristol Water in the top three.

The report released today by water regulator Ofwat looks at the performance of each company in 2007/2008 and compares it against the others in the industry.

The overall performance assessment table, covering water supply and customer service for all water companies, shows Bristol Water as third out of 22 ... and ahead of all the other water companies in the West. (See Page 11 of the attached report)

Bristol Water achieved a total score of 283, just four short of the top-rated company – Essex’s Tendring Hundred Water. Bristol scored the maximum for customer service and meeting leakage performance targets.

"These are excellent results for Bristol Water and its customers," said company spokesman Jeremy Williams. "We have been consistently rated as amongst the best in the industry. Today’s results confirm that yet again and show we continue to offer a high standard of service.”

Each year Ofwat assesses water companies’ overall delivery of service to customers. The assessment helps Ofwat to make comparisons of the quality of the overall service companies provide to customers, and to take this into account at each price review.

The assessment reflects the broad range of services provided to customers. The key areas include water supply, e.g. water quality; customer service, e.g. handling of complaints, supply pipe repairs and customer information; and environmental impact, such as leakage.

· Bristol Water supplies over 1.1 million people and businesses in an area of almost 2,400 square kilometres centred on the City.

· For further information about this release, please call 0117 9536470