United Utilities water supply question

ciderdrinker68

Hello all!
Quick question regarding a supply problem with United Utilities. We moved to the new house in June last year and thought from day 1 that the supply was not up to scratch. Very poor flow rate.
Called UU last week and they sent a bloke out who tested the supply. Pressure is OK at approx 1.75 Bar but the flow rate is approx 6 l/min. According to the UU bloke we are supposed to get a flow rate of at least 9 l/min.
He checked for leaks from the stop tap in the road supplying our property and found none. Checked the supply further back and said that it's fine.
He has got the lads to come out this week to change the stop tap as he says that might be the problem. After checking with my neighbour he also confirmed a poor water supply. Also said that his mate up the road (50 yards) has the same problem. This leads me to think that it's not a stop tap problem.
Do the water firms have a legal minimum supply rate and if so how far do they have to go to ensure that the standard is being met?
My neighbour & his mate are also starting the process of complaining.

Thanks for your help!!

hotpot1000

It's on their website, if flow is less than the req'd 7 bar I think, for at least 2 seperate cases of at least an hour in a 28 day period they are supposed to compensate, limit is £50 in any 12 mths.

Ive just had very low pressure probs (& 4 neighbours) for 1st half of jan on a common supply. UU were no help whatsoever, despite 2 houses having no heating coz of lack of pressure to boilers.
took over a week to pinpoint problem in a garden & they refused to go in. Threatened us with 7 day notices to fix the problem.

we found it was an old tap on the common supply pipe not far from the stop tap, the little thing inside had fallen down and was blocking the flow. Pressure was greatly improved after tap was removed. We jointly paid for repair and now received 7 day letters threatening us for the 'leak' they found and associated wastage of water.

Ive just penned a reply pointing out their errors, asking for compen for low pressure for 12 days solid & contribution to the repair bill to replace their old faulty tap.

good luck, if u ring them find an alternative to the 0845 number on say no to 0870, I did.

BackOnTrack

hotpot1000 wrote: »

It's on their website, if flow is less than the req'd 7 bar I think,

It's not 7 bar it's 7 metres static head which is about 0.7 bar.

bluewire

For GSS payments (£50) the fault must be UUs. If it has been caused by a fault on private pipework (Leak etc) then it is not covered.

JR87

all 3 comments are true, it is a requirement on UU to maintain the water pressure at 0.7bar and compensation is due if not upheld. but this is only due if the problem is caused on the mains network. any problems on a private supply is entirely the homeowners responsibility.

p.s the 0845 numbers for UU are charged at local rates.

Gothicfairy

All 0845 numbers are charged at local rate aren't they ? if you have a mobile or landline with free 01 and 02 calls then it is worth checking sayno as they often have local area numbers

hotpot1000

It has cost one OAP neighbour £6 to ring a few times on 0845, so Im assuming it's more than a local call.

Gothicfairy

hotpot1000 wrote: »

It has cost one OAP neighbour £6 to ring a few times on 0845, so Im assuming it's more than a local call.

That would depend on how long the call took surely ? and from what provider and phone you call from ?

I have to use my mobile as I don't have a house phone and 0845 numbers are more expensive and I can see how you could get to £6 with a call being put on hold etc.

bluewire

If you are worried about the cost of calling UU then go to their website and request a call back (they will usually do this within 24 hours)
http://www.unitedutilities.com/Contactus.aspx

I know that they do not have a specific selection for call back but if you explain that you want a call back they will (it is cheaper for them to call you then to write)

hotpot1000

It was £6 on a landline, I have given her the freefone and std number for UU so will be ok now.

Cardew

hotpot1000 wrote: »

It has cost one OAP neighbour £6 to ring a few times on 0845, so Im assuming it's more than a local call.

It was £6 on a landline, I have given her the freefone and std number for UU so will be ok now.

I don't think any firm charges more than 5p a minute for a 0845 number - with most it is 3p and with BT it is free on their all inclusive tariffs.

So to spend £6 they will have been on the phone for a long time.