A major upgrade programme across Britain has used the plastic pipes to replace aged Victorian iron pipework in a bid to stem leaks.

But according to the regulator, water companies across England and Wales still leaked more than 2.29 million litres a minute during 2010 and 2011.

"The HDPE pipes may be more resilient, but they will still leak, and they still need to have joints," the spokeswoman said.

"Joints are particular weak spots, and will be prone to weeps and seepages."

The news comes after it was confirmed that nearly 40% of water companies have not been required to reduce their leakage rates - despite the country's worst drought in 25 years.

According to the Ofwat website, the trade-off between leaks and repairs is called the "sustainable economic level of leakage", which "identifies the level of leakage that gives consumers the best value for money".

Ofwat has said eight out of 21 water companies had been set zero reduction of leaks targets to 2015, even though hosepipe bans have been declared in central and southern England.

The firms include Yorkshire Water, which failed to meet its 2010-11 targets, and as a result was required to spend an additional £33m on leak repairs.

Southern Water had to pay £5m back to customers after missing its latest leak target by 16%, Ofwat said.

Last year Ofwat announced a new "risk-based strategy", partially designed to reduce "onerous and burdensome" data collection of the companies - with a view to performance indicators being self-regulated by the firms.

Britain’s 10,000 automatic car washes could be shut down if the drought goes on for much longer.

Seven water firms in the South and East are bringing in hosepipe bans from April 5th to cope with the worst drought since 1976.

And carwash operators believe the bans will be extended to garages if shortages continue.

MILLIONS could face inflation busting water bill hikes as industry regulator Ofwat announced rises of up to 10 per cent in April.

The increases, based on last November’s Retail Price Index inflation figures, means bills will go up by at least 5.2 per cent – adding around £20 to the average household bill of £356 a year.

In 2009, Ofwat set five- year limits on increases, but the deal allows Britain’s 22 water firms to raise prices by an additional amount above inflation, pushing bills significantly higher.

Companies that currently receive individual bills for each of their sites and have to deal with dozens of water suppliers could potentially opt for just one national bill and could benefit from lower prices.

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