We read with interest Steve Caldwell's letter about water leaks (Croydon Guardian, July 6).

We do our best to conserve water in our own home. We have a water meter, four water butts, and a dual flush toilet. In very dry periods we also put water from washing up or showers on to the garden. We are therefore particularly dismayed to frequently see water wasted from holes in the road or other defects in our neighbourhood (Spa Hill/Beulah Hill area).

We regularly ring Thames Water to report these, but the necessary repair work usually takes weeks to complete, while thousands of gallons go to waste.

It's ironic that Thames Water exhort us all to save water when it is so careless itself in its conservation.

Robert Rimell
Beauchamp Road
Upper Norwood