DON’T PAY EXCESS WATER BILLS FOR LEAKS CAUSED BY BIG FREEZE

21 January 2010

Water customers should not be subject to unjustified additional water charges that may result from leakage associated with burst supply pipes. This is the message Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney is giving his constituents following the recent severe winter weather conditions:

“Water customers do not normally have to meet any additional charge that relates to supply pipe leakage. Water companies have a statutory duty, under their conditions of appointment, to make an adjustment to charges for the water lost through supply pipe leakage. The conditions for benefiting under this duty are that the protection applies the first time a leak occurs and it is for domestic customers who have a water meter. This adjustment is calculated by comparison with previous metered consumption.

“The condition of appointment does not require the water company to make the adjustment in relation to subsequent leaks, but in such cases the water company will consider making an adjustment on a case by case basis.

In addition to the adjustment to the bill, each water company also gives help to property owners in this position. The amount of help, which could include the detection of leaks or repairs, varies according to the water company’s policies and is not statutory, as the legal liability rests with the owner. The company will offer support to help the customer to find the leak and will usually provide assistance in carrying out the repair.

“Consumers should ask their water company for a leaflet outlining the terms and conditions of their customer leakage repair scheme.”

The details of the various schemes are on water company websites but a summary is provided by Ofwat at:
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulating/reporting/rpt_los_2008-09supinfo.pd#page=37