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Water Bills Rip-Off for Residents in Flats
27 March 2008
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Cllr Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary campaigner for Reading East, is warning residents of a potential rip-off after residents contacted him pointing out that Thames Water promised to cut water bills for thousands of local people living in flats – then put the rates up.
Gareth has written to the Chief Executive of Thames Water and to OFWAT demanding an explanation, and is writing to constituents living in flats advising them they could have been overcharged by up to £64 per year. A pensioner in a one-bedroom council flat in St Giles’ Close contacted Gareth after receiving this year’s bill for £264, having read a Thames Water press initiative only a month ago which stated that bills would be cut for residents living in flats where a water meter cannot be installed to as low as £200.See picture (above) of a Thames Water Fat Cat after collecting the Rate
A statement on Thames Water’s website dated 5 February states that the company is abolishing the flat £245 charge for non-metered properties to £200 for a studio or 1-bed flat, or £217 for a two-bedroomed property. By contrast, the water rate for Gareth’s own terraced house in Central Reading is only £188.
Residents who think they may have been overcharged are urged to contact Thames Water on 0845 9200 888.
Gareth says:
"I simply cannot believe that the fat cats at Thames Water have the cheek to claim one week that they’re cutting people’s water rates – then send out bills the next that put them up.
These bills are going to pensioners on fixed incomes, living in council flats and already short of cash after paying much more for winter fuel. Thames Water owe local residents an explanation.
It is possible that thousands of Reading residents living in flats have been overcharged.
Residents deserve better – especially after a winter of spiralling energy costs. I am advising them to check bills very carefully and be prepared to complain in order to make sure they have not been charged over the odds."
Editor's Note:
The Thames Water press release entitled "Lower charges on the way for thousands of customers", released on 5 February 2008, is available on the Thames Water website.
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