RESIDENTS will be able to report water leaks on-the-go thanks to a new function on United Utilities' mobile app.

The company has launched a new version of their existing customer account managing app which allows people to snap a picture of the leak and, thanks to a Google maps link-up, pinpoint the exact location, and report it.

United Utilities says one of it key objectives is to cut UK water wastage and have created the Report a Leak facility to make it quicker and easier for people to flag up issues.

Denise Maskew, customer digital manager for UU, said: “Our innovative Report a Leak function allows users to take a picture of a leak with their device, and using Google Maps integration, the exact location can be pin-pointed by our team. It adds context to the issue, ensuring our team deal with leaks based on their severity, but it also deepens our customer engagement – a critical part of any business.

“We’re thrilled with the uptake of our app so far – which has contributed to increasing our digital customer base by 146,000. We hope this helps to further build those key engagements with our customers.”

United Utilities partnered with mobile technology company Apadmi to develop the app.

Nick Black, chief commercial officer for Apadmi, added: “Since launch, the United Utilities app has added a whole new dimension to their offering - but this is just the start.

“We’ve developed a clear technology roadmap in accordance with their business goals and already identified a series of key features for growth that will help take the app to the next level, providing services not currently offered by other water providers.”

The water provider says their original app has proved to be a popular new payment channel with over 97,000 payments put through it so far, amounting to £4.1 million.

The new version of the app has evolved each of those core functions, whilst tackling this key company initiative of saving water across the region, they add.