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Historical water audit by water consultant experts H²0 produces a 12 year refund of £66,000.

Author: Graham Mann, Water Audit Expert. 

In a recent landmark case water audit experts H²O Building Services negotiated a 12 year refund of £ 66,000 for a major pool and leisure company, this represented a 12 year overcharge by Thames Water on trade effluent charges for the swimming pool waste discharge.

Senior water consultant at H²O explains ” We were commissioned to provide an in depth water audit service from water and waste water billing analysis through to site survey reporting and consulting services. The brief was to drive down water costs, identify historical over charging and put forward a short and long term water strategy. We were conscious that one of  our key competitors had been involved previously in a water project for some 3 years so in reality we did not expect to uncover much. Quite frankly the resulting refunds and savings have been substantial, refunds alone are over £ 600,000 +.

This latest refund was complex, the overcharge began when the trade effluent consents were set up during 2001, Thames Water set up an incorrect charging structure for the swimming pool discharge. In order to audit these charges a complete understanding of the way trade effluent charges are compiled is required, in my experience it certainly appears many of our competitors do not have the expertise or indeed pay much attention to this complex charging mechanism.

We applied the correct charging mechanism to the 12 sites within the Thames Water area and concluded the waste water charges were incorrectly levied by Thames Water. After requesting a full refund of overcharges 3 1/2 months later we were offered a refund backdated to the date of application some 3 1/2 months which was totally unacceptable, after many further negotiations Thames Water did the right thing and refunded the overcharges back 12 years resulting in a £ 66,000 refund. My only disappointment was the original rejection of our claim and the fact after several demands for interest and compensation Thames Water flatly refused any further monies.

On a positive note, it is truly refreshing to see a slight change in attitude relating to refunds as going back 12 years is a first with Thames water, they should be congratulated on refunding all overcharges over the period, we wonder if other water companies will follow Thames Waters example, Watch this space! “