Anglian water customer relations - update

Dabbad

ANGLIAN WATER CUSTOMER RELATIONS - UPDATE
I attach copies of my posts made in July 2012 and July 2013.
At last there is the possibility of customers being able to
switch suppliers. Although full competition is unlikely before
2020 I suspect that the 'highhandedness' shown by Anglian Water
may well change their attitude before then with the prospect
of competition. As I have indicated before I will be switching
as soon as possible and will be encouraging others to do the same.
Obviously I cannot expect people to change unless there is some
financial advantage but I intend to provide further information
when it becomes available.

As most people know it has been possible for some time to switch both electricity and gas suppliers. There is no doubt that this has resulted in both an improved level of customer service and an element of price competition.

However, at the moment, it is not possible for people to switch their water supplier. I have been at my property since September 1985 and over the last twenty seven years have been supplied with my water by Anglian Water. During this time I must have paid thousands of pounds in water charges.

Last August I received through my letterbox an ‘important notice of works’ from Anglian Water informing me that ‘in order to carry out essential work on local water pipes we need to temporarily turn off your water supply between 00.01am and 6.00am on 2nd September, as part of our commitment to improving customer service we will credit your account by £20.00 if we fail to restore your supply within the given timescale.’

When I woke up at 8.00am on 2nd September there was no water. This was particularly inconvenient as I had my two grandchildren, aged 2 & 4, staying with me at the time. Still I assumed that I would be eligible for some compensation and as the water was eventually restored at 3.45pm, over 2.½ times the estimated turn off time, I claimed for £50.00. I was amazed to learn Anglian Water refused any compensation on the basis that the water was turned on again within the timescale quoted but then had to be turned off again when a further problem arose. Apparently it was up to me to store a certain amount of water in the event of a problem. If this had been mentioned in the original ‘notice of works’ there would have been no dispute but to say that I should have stored water without any suggestion from Anglian Water is fatuous. The fact that they know full well that I am unable, at the moment, to switch supplier must be the reason for their ‘highhandedness’

I have informed Anglian Water that I will be switching suppliers as soon as I am able to. I believe that I will have influence with friends to do the same. In addition I intend to repost this notice when people have the option of changing suppliers so that further defections may be made.

Since July 2012 I have paid another £572-03 in charges. So the current position is that I have had my water supplied by Anglia for twenty eight years and have now paid many thousands of pounds plus £572-03 in charges. Unfortunately it is still not possible for customers to change suppliers and until an element of competition is introduced no doubt Anglia Water will continue with their 'highhandedness'. It is remarkable how things can change with a little competition. After all can you imagine the same response from a gas, electricity or telephone company. My original post has had so far over 850 viewings and if only 1% of these resulted in a switch eventually Anglian would be substantially 'out of pocket'. I intend to carry out an annual review of the position and will post accordingly.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Sorry, but it is not going to happen.
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/your-water-company/changesupplier/

You will have to look at other options, theses are outlined below.

1 move to a cheaper area

2 Dig a well and extract your own water, and dispose of it without using the public sewerage system.

Without details of number if occupants, no one can advise on whether a low user scheme, or water meter would benefit you. In the mean time, come back next year when the bill arrives!

Do you treat gas and electricity suppliers the same way?