Sonia Kumar MP Calls for Action on Britain’s Leaky Loos

According to recent estimates, 8% of UK toilets are leaking, wasting up to 400 litres of clean water per toilet every single day. For households, this can mean an extra £100 a year on bills. Nationally, billions of litres of treated water - and hundreds of millions of pounds - are being lost.

The root of the problem lies in the widespread adoption of flush valve systems, introduced into regulations in 2001. Though initially promoted as water‑saving, these valves rely on seals that inevitably corrode, leading to silent, continuous leaks. By contrast, syphon systems - a proven British innovation - are hydraulically designed to be inherently leak‑free.

Labour MP Sonia Kumar, writing in Politics.co.uk has called for urgent reform:

At Thomas Dudley, we have long campaigned for higher water efficiency standards. The solution is clear:

• Reinstate syphons as the default choice in new builds and retrofits

• Mandate delay‑fill inlet valves, saving around half a litre of water per flush

• Close regulatory loopholes that allow components to be sold legally but not installed

With Defra’s consultation on new Water Efficiency Standards now underway, the opportunity to act is here. These reforms are low‑cost, high‑impact, and would:

• Conserve billions of litres of clean water annually

• Reduce household bills

• Safeguard national infrastructure ambitions against water scarcity

Water is an increasingly precious resource. As Sonia Kumar MP highlights, shortages already threaten housing projects, hospitals, and the wider economy. By backing leak‑free syphons, we can protect households, support sustainability, and uphold Britain’s reputation for engineering excellence.

It’s time to end the silent scandal of Britain’s leaky loos – and Thomas Dudley is proud to lead the way.