News

Government urged to review the water industry – A long time coming says H²0 Building Services

Author: Graham Mann, Water Audit Expert.

Reports show water bills have increased by 64% during the last decade. Following research by the new Policy Institute they said charges had doubled since privatisation, there are claims that high prices were due to lack of competition.

The report found almost one third of the average water bill is for operating profit compared with the energy sector at just 9%.

The report commission by Unison said that the water industry is in need of greater scrutiny as water companies continue to post “huge profits” with many water companies running up heavy debts despite previous arrears being written off during the privatisation process.

The Senior Water Consultant at H²O Building Services said “There should be an in-depth investigation as to why the regulator OFWAT agrees to allow water companies to continually overcharge commercial customers and in most instances they do not have to repay the overcharges in full. We estimate literally £millions is being overcharged annually, yet water companies according to “their scheme of charges” agreed by OFWAT do not have to refund the monies back to the date the customer was overcharged. The Consumer Council for Water (C.C.W) is powerless to act and the Government must step in now to sort this. We intend to challenge in court any company that does no refund an overcharge in full back to the date the overcharge commenced. We wish to make it clear not all water companies refuse to refund overcharges.”