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The tankers, which can be used to help keep customers on supply if a pipe bursts by injecting straight into pipes or to move water around its network, range in size from 30,000 litres to 9,000 litres.

They now feature an additional layer of insulation, have had their electrics and pumps checked and double checked, and the connecting pipes feature an extra layer of lagging.And, while the company puts its own house in order, it is also asking its customers to do the same with their homes.

Howard Perry, Energy Manager at Severn Trent, said: “Extreme temperatures, and snow and ice can cause huge problems for household water pipes so, before the winter weather hits us, we’re helping customers to understand how they can look after their home’s pipes.

“Many people don’t realise that as water freezes within a pipe it expands, putting pressure on joints which can result in splits or pulling joints apart.

“People should take precautions now, and lagging pipes is actually a really easy and cheap job to do. Lagging helps to insulate them and can potentially save thousands of pounds as bursts are not only devastating, but messy and expensive to fix. “We want to help people understand what they can do to avoid any issues when it gets colder.”

Severn Trent is also helping customers find reliable WaterSafe certified plumbers ahead of the winter months and is providing support to vulnerable customers through a specialised team.

To support homeowners and businesses, Severn Trent is providing information on its website, where people can learn how to lag pipes, the key things to look out for, and how to fit external tap guards.

The website also includes information on how to find a stop tap in a home or business in case a pipe bursts. For more information go here.