Switch Water Supplier

woddy

Does anyone know of any plans to allow customers to move water suppliers?

I am with Thames Water and the Customer Service Rubbish but there is no alternative?

LittleJo

Hi,
Seems odd doesn't it that there is absolutely no competition whatsover in the supply of water.
The only kerb on their charges is a regulater who seems to share their views of a business model. Shareholders and directors first.
Happen I am just a cynic.
Jo

Astaroth

Hmm... to do what they did for the electricity they would need to seperate out generation (ie water purification & sewerage treatment probably), distribution (ie pipes/ pumping stations etc) and supply (who we pay).

Given the amount of news there is about the state of our distribution networks can you really see any company wanting to take on that aspect of the job?

The second problem is that there is no national grid so a supplier for a london customer couldnt buy the water they provide you from anyone but the london based gerneration company where as for electricity there is free choice as we do have national grids.

Saucepot

United utilities are just as bad. Morning, noon and night they have "unexpectedly high call volume” i.e. not enough staff on the phones.

Then when you’re through, you get to put through to 3 different people before someone can switch your direct debit day.

I’m no red, bit of a blue all things considered, but even I think nationalizing some of these monopolies is the only answer. Competition will not keep the infrastructure in good nick. If it’s in public hands, it’ll remain cr*p but you won’t have to hear how much money there making, and feel fleeced.

It’s like the trains, there just as bad privatized, but cost more. The only privatizations that have worked are where there is competition between providers for customers.

Crabman

It's legalised corruption, nothing we can do. The muppets that we elect do what they like when it comes down to it :rolleyes: Hmmmm, maybe I'll get me some shares in Severn Trent... :T

hurrah

woddy wrote:

Does anyone know of any plans to allow customers to move water suppliers?

I am with Thames Water and the Customer Service Rubbish but there is no alternative?

They expect to dereg it in the future.

chugalug

hurrah wrote:

They expect to dereg it in the future.

Not in the near future cos apparently the water companies have to be given 25 years notice of deregulation!!!!!!!!!!

Crabman

chugalug wrote:

Not in the near future cos apparently the water companies have to be given 25 years notice of deregulation!!!!!!!!!!

Now, which government was responsible for that "guarantee"... :think:

sacramentosk8

dear all, i know how you feel. You cannot change water suppliers, they operate large territories but there might be something you might be able to do! Other than installing a water meter, you can try to change the rate you are on. Yes, simple changing the rate might save you money. Just like for gas and electricity. And these highway robbers monopolists wont tell you that nor advertise it. You have to find out what rate is best for you, simple maths and have it changed.

Cardew

sacramentosk8 wrote: »

dear all, i know how you feel. You cannot change water suppliers, they operate large territories but there might be something you might be able to do! Other than installing a water meter, you can try to change the rate you are on. Yes, simple changing the rate might save you money. Just like for gas and electricity. And these highway robbers monopolists wont tell you that nor advertise it. You have to find out what rate is best for you, simple maths and have it changed.

Welcome to the forum.

Are you aware that this thread is over 3 years old?

What do you mean by 'changing the rate'.

If you are unmetered then you are charged on the basis of your Rateable Value(RV) and that cannot be changed.

If you apply for a meter, and for any reason it cannot be fitted, you will be given the opportunity of an assessed rate - which may or may not be cheaper.

Seemore_2

Not sure about other suppliers but Anglian Water offer a SoLow tariff for customers who use less than 75 cubic meters a year, plus a WaterSure tariff for vunerable customers.

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/household/your-account/tariffs/