OREANDA-NEWS. AS Tallinna Vesi has disclosed its operational performance for 2014. Showing stable improvement year on year our performance indicators have been representing excellent quality levels already for years. 2014 is marked by the highest ever level of water quality i.e. 99.80% of all water samples complied with the quality standards.

In 2014, the total of 2 496 water samples were taken from customer taps and a record of 99.80% of those samples complied with all quality standards. Only six samples of almost 2 500 samples were non-compliant due to higher iron concentration. The Company immediately carried out maintenance works on the water network near those locations, which resulted in the repeated samples being fully compliant.

Recent study by EMOR also proves that people have confidence in the quality of tap water. COO Aleksandr Timofejev explained that although the quality of tap water has been very good in Tallinn already for years, the trust in tap water has specifically grown during the last couple of years. "If in 2011 only 48% of Tallinners were drinking tap water, according to the latest study the number of people drinking tap water has doubled, i.e. increased to 81% in 2014." Timofejev said. The COO noted that this shows the significance of improving the population's awareness of the good quality of drinking water.

The level of leakages has indicated a consistent decrease year-on-year. Figuratively speaking, constant reduction in leakage levels means that we are saving approximately 13 000 m3 of treated drinking water a day compared to the time 10 years ago. 200 000 m3 of water was saved in 2014 compared to 2013. This equals the volume of water consumed in Tallinn in 3 days. In 2014, the level of leakages was 16.14% compared to 16.98% in 2013.

Sirje Spiegelberg, Head of Customer Service of AS Tallinna Vesi, pointed out that positive changes have occurred in the area of customer service as well. "Year on year our customers have less reason to contact us with issues. In 2014, the number of both customer contacts and complaints reduced. The number of customer contacts in relation to water quality, water interruptions and water pressure have decreased by one third. If in 2013, the customers were dissatisfied in 118 cases, then in 2014 the number of complaints was only 57. "This is mainly related to the improved reliability of service as a result of preventive maintenance," Spiegelberg added.

Positive operational performance presents itself also in the general customer satisfaction indicator of the survey carried out by EMOR. "Satisfaction with our service is significantly higher than the European average and has been among the top 10% of the European manufacturing sector already for years," Spiegelberg added.

AS Tallinna Vesi is the largest water utility in Estonia providing drinking water and wastewater services to approximately one third of the population of Estonia in Tallinn and neighbouring municipalities. The main units of the water and sewerage system are Ülemiste Water Treatment Plant and Paljassaare Wastewater Treatment Plant.