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Churches, Charities and Clubs – fighting for fair charging by water companies |
Consumer Council for Water |
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Supposed to represent consumer interests but seems to have let this slip through? The Council is an independent and statutory consumer body and has offices throughout England and Wales. They say they try to make sure that: The water industry and associated organisations recognise the Consumer Council for Water as an informed, influential and effective consumer champion. ComplaintsThe Council also takes up consumers’ complaints if they have tried and failed to resolve issues with their water and sewerage companies. In May, the Consumer Council for Water wrote to United Utilities calling on the company to consider consumers in its profits announcement and provide them with real benefits, either by capping price increases at inflation or less, or providing extra investment in infrastructure or improving customer services. In announcing profits of £614.2 million - an 8% increase on last year – it has declined to share the benefits with its customers to any significant extent. Andrea Cook, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water Northern, said: “The water industry did very well from the 2004 price review, as demonstrated by the rapid rise in the value of companies and profit levels consistently above expectations.” “We know profits are vital as they help to fund improvements to pipes, sewers and treatment works, and to ensure the safe and reliable supply of water and removal of sewerage that consumers depend upon. From 1989 to 2010 companies will have invested almost £70 billion of customers’ money and delivered major improvements to our water and sewerage networks. “But where companies make very large profits they should be prepared to share these to maintain the trust and confidence of their customers. This is important both now and for the future sustainability of the water industry.” |
info@dontdrainus.orgHotline 0709 2847134 |