Southern Water - Meter Fiasco

DJ_Clarkie

Just over a week ago I had a red statement from Southern water stating that I should pay £400+ to them or face legal action. I thought this strange as I do remember setting up a direct debit for them. I checked my bank and yes, there was the direct debit with nothing being taken out !

I called southern water to find out what was going on. I was told that they had tried to fit a meter and because my house was not meter-able (more to come on this) I was put onto a single occupancy tariff and a clerical error had meant that my direct debit hadn't moved across with the change of account details. OK, genuine error 1 !

But, at the beginning of the year (might have been late last year) I did have a water meter fitted ! Southern water have no record of this being fitted.
So, after me assuring that I was looking at a water meter and that the serial number was such and such, Darren in the metering dept did a bit of digging and found meter readings from Feb to date (June).
So, not taking my word for it or their systems, Southern Water called Balfour Beatty to come and check the meter.
Two days later Balfour Beatty called. It was a courtesy call saying that they had the request from Southern water and that someone from the appointment/scheduling dept. would be calling me to arrange an appointment.. No call (ever).

Today I received a letter from Southern Water saying that they wish to dig up my drive to install a water meter and please sign for my consent. Lucky I had a day off! I went to Southern Water offices in Durrington, West Sussex.

Spoke to a nice guy in the metering dept. Steve informed me that there was no meter at my property and that a letter was printed for me yesterday (not yet received) informing me that there was no meter and they need my drive dug to install one. Back to square one!

I had the foresight to take a photo of my invisible/ nonexistent meter before I went to the offices. I showed this to Steve and mentioned my previous conversations of nearly two weeks ago. Nope the meter doesn't exist on Southern Water systems!.

It seems that although I had stated several times that the meter is inside the property, Balfour Beatty were only looking outside and so never saw fit to make an appointment. They came out two days ago and informed southern water the meter does not exist and a drive needs to be dug to install one (Is this a money making venture by Balfour Betty, charging Southern Water twice for the same work?).

So, Steve and Victoria (Southern Water) arranged for someone to come out on Monday, 15th July to view the meter, nearly six weeks after my initial query about the statement.

Here’s hoping the person can see to read it as I am sure Southern Water will then be chasing me for money they hadn't taken but I now owe them.

Southern Water – Appalling Management, Poor systems but great friendly staff, who do try to help while putting up with the former two.