£100 million investment for Severn Trent amid results success

It comes as the business confirmed a surge in its turnover and profits for its latest financial year.

The business's turnover for the year to March 31 2018 increased to £1.69 billion, up from £1.63 billion in 2017, while pre-tax profits also rose from £520.1 million to £541 million.

The firm said that the £100 million investment, which has been generated from savings, would go towards a number of initiatives.

This includes 20,000 extra pressure monitors in its network of pipes, which means that leaks and bursts can be spotted more quickly.

It also intends to create a new technical training academy, which will help to train and create the engineers and leaders of the future.

Severn Trent added that sewer flooding was down 34 per cent, water quality complaints decreased 12 per cent and serious pollution incidents plummeted 71 per cent.

However, the company added that there was a "disappointing" performance on supply interruptions.

Last year a burst water pipe caused chaos in Telford, leaving thousands without water.

Severn Trent worked round the clock after homes and businesses were affected by the burst, which left much of the Telford area south of the M54 with either no water, low pressure or a murky supply.

As a result, water distribution points were set up at Tesco car park in Madeley and the Museum of the Gorge in Ironbridge.

And last month distraught home and car owners were counting the cost after 10 million litres of water flooded roads in Wednesbury, near West Bromwich.

Cars were submerged, gardens were flooded and water seeped into nearby buildings after a water main was damaged by workers installing a new electricity cable.

Sarah Bentley, Severn Trent chief customer officer, said: "We are always very sorry for the problems faced by our customers, including those in Telford and Wednesbury. We know how difficult it can be without water.

"The problem in Telford was a particularly very tricky situation to sort. Forty trees had to be cut back and we faced a huge amount of rainfall.

"All our customers were compensated fairly and these penalties result in lower bills in the longer term."

The Environment Agency has warned people need to use less water and companies must curb leaks to prevent future water shortages and damage to rivers and wildlife.

Ms Bentley added: "The Environment Agency makes a couple of points which we are committed to, particularly the need to reduce leakage.

"With water usage, it is educating people how to be more responsible.

"We are also committed to ensure we have a sustainable plan to take water out of the environment and make sure we future-proof environmental decisions."

Chief executive Liv Garfield added: "I'm pleased that keeping customers at the heart of our business and investing for the long term has continued to drive positive results.

"We are proud of the overall service we deliver for our customers but we know there are areas to improve."