Burst pipe and leakage allowance

jennyr38

In late January I had a burst water pipe in my outbuilding. A couple of weeks later I received a water bill from Essex & Suffolk Water: around £130 over and above my usual quarterly bill cost.

I phoned Essex & Suffolk Water and they advised me they had a leakage rebate policy for which I would be eligible and to send the plumber bill as proof of the leak. They also provided me with contact details for Anglian Water suggesting Anglian Water may also operate a similar policy and be able to provide me with a rebate on my sewerage costs.

I contacted Anglian Water the next day and they provided me with a rebate of £105 (the amount over and above my usual bill costs) over the phone.

Today, I received a letter from Essex & Suffolk Water saying that I was NOT eligible for a rebate for the £130 as they only cover leaks on the underground supply pipe before it enters the building.

1)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]how can Essex & Suffolk Water advise me of one thing on the phone and another, subsequently, by letter.
2)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]why would Anglian Water provide me with an immediate rebate, whilst Essex & Suffolk Water now refuse to do so
3)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]is this seemingly erratic approach being experienced by other Essex & Suffolk Water customers?
4)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]why is the customer in this country subject to these corporate monopolies and unable to choose another supplier for water/sewerage?

I have been a customer of Essex & Suffolk Water and Anglian Water for the five years I have been resident in my property in Suffolk. My water is metered and has been consistent and low in useage.

Where next?

Cardew

Technically you are not entitled to any rebate!

There is a goodwill policy, usually a one off, for a leakage in the supply pipe. However it does normally exclude bursts with a building.

Had Anglian known the full facts they might not have awarded a rebate?

You should ask Maggie Thatcher why our utilities were sold off, selling off the family silver as someone more famous than I once said!!!!!!

Gothicfairy

To be honest even if Maggie had not sold it off there would probably be no rebate or allowance as the leak was on the customers pipes not the water companies ( and back when it was the water board you did not get anything for that anyway normally)